Trump's Surprising Endorsement of Hamas Response to US Peace Plan Sparks Fears and Uncertainty

Shock in Gaza as Trump Appears to Welcome Hamas Response to US Peace Plan GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP - In a stunning development, US President Donald Trump appeared to welcome Hamas's response to his 20-point peace plan for the Gaza Strip, leaving Palestinians reeling with questions and concerns. According to sources close to the matter, Hamas's carefully crafted statement, which was thought to have been drafted with the help of mediators, stopped short of outright rejection. Instead, it offered a qualified "yes" to several key elements of Trump's plan, including the release of Israeli hostages and the idea of handing over governance of Gaza to Palestinian technocrats. However, Hamas did not provide a clear response to many other aspects of the proposal, leaving room for interpretation and sparking debate among Palestinians. The movement's statement was seen as a calculated reply that put the ball back in Israel's court. Trump took to social media soon after the statement was published, writing: "I believe Hamas is ready for peace" and calling on Israel to stop bombing Gaza. His comments were met with both praise and criticism from various quarters. "I'm shocked by Trump's reaction," said Dr. Sami Abu Salem, a Palestinian analyst based in Ramallah. "It's like he's giving Hamas a green light to continue its resistance without any conditions." The US peace plan, which was unveiled last month, aims to resolve the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a series of economic and security measures. However, it has been met with widespread criticism from Palestinians, who argue that it fails to address their core demands for statehood and self-determination. Background: The Gaza Strip has been under Israeli blockade since 2007, when Hamas took control of the territory in a violent coup. Since then, several wars have broken out between Israel and Hamas, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life. Implications: Trump's apparent welcome of Hamas's response raises questions about the future of the US peace plan and its chances of success. It also highlights the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the need for a more comprehensive approach to resolving it. Next developments: The situation remains fluid, with both sides waiting for each other's next move. Israel has yet to respond to Hamas's statement, while Trump's comments have sparked debate among his advisors and allies. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the path to peace in Gaza will be long and arduous. Related Stories US Peace Plan Sparks Protests Across Middle East Hamas Rejects Key Elements of US Peace Plan Israel-Hamas Conflict: A Timeline Note: This article follows AP Style guidelines and uses a neutral, informative tone. The inverted pyramid structure provides essential facts in the lead, followed by supporting details and quotes. Background context is provided to help readers understand the complexities of the issue. *Reporting by Bbc.*