Trump's Surprise Endorsement of Hamas Response to US Peace Plan Sparks Chaos in Gaza

SHOCK IN GAZA AS TRUMP APPEARS TO WELCOME HAMAS RESPONSE TO US PEACE PLAN Gaza City, Gaza Strip - In a stunning turn of events, US President Donald Trump appeared to welcome Hamas's response to his peace plan for the territory, leaving Palestinians in shock and scrambling to understand what comes next. According to sources close to the matter, Hamas released a carefully crafted statement that accepted certain elements of Trump's 20-point proposal, including the release of Israeli hostages and the idea of handing over governance of Gaza to Palestinian technocrats. However, the movement stopped short of outright rejection, instead offering a qualified "yes" to many other aspects of the plan. Trump took to social media shortly after Hamas's statement was published, writing that he believed Hamas was ready for peace and calling on Israel to stop the bombing of Gaza. The US president's comments sent shockwaves through the Palestinian community in Gaza, with hundreds taking to social media to express their confusion and skepticism. "We thought we were going to war," said one Gazan resident, who wished to remain anonymous. "But now it seems like Trump is saying that Hamas is ready for peace. It's a dream come true, but I'm not sure what to believe." The US peace plan has been met with widespread criticism from Palestinians and international leaders alike, who argue that it favors Israeli interests over Palestinian rights. However, some analysts suggest that Hamas's response may be a calculated move designed to put pressure on Israel to negotiate. "Hamas is trying to create a sense of urgency around the negotiations," said Dr. Moussa Abu Marzouk, a Gaza-based analyst and former Hamas official. "By accepting certain elements of the plan, they're hoping to force Israel to make concessions." The US peace plan was unveiled in January, with Trump calling it a "historic" opportunity for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. However, the proposal has been met with widespread criticism from Palestinian leaders, who argue that it ignores key issues such as Jerusalem's status and the right of return for refugees. As the situation continues to unfold, many are left wondering what comes next. Will Israel accept Hamas's qualified response, or will the bombing of Gaza continue? And what does this mean for the future of peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians? One thing is certain: the pace of developments in Gaza has left everyone scrambling to keep up. Background The US peace plan was unveiled on January 28, with Trump calling it a "historic" opportunity for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. However, the proposal has been met with widespread criticism from Palestinian leaders, who argue that it ignores key issues such as Jerusalem's status and the right of return for refugees. Hamas has long been critical of the US peace plan, arguing that it favors Israeli interests over Palestinian rights. However, some analysts suggest that Hamas may be willing to negotiate if certain conditions are met. Additional Perspectives The US State Department did not respond to requests for comment on Trump's social media post or Hamas's response to the peace plan. A spokesperson for the Israeli government said only that "we will continue to work towards a peaceful resolution" but declined to comment further. As the situation continues to unfold, many are left wondering what comes next. Will Israel accept Hamas's qualified response, or will the bombing of Gaza continue? And what does this mean for the future of peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the pace of developments in Gaza has left everyone scrambling to keep up. *Reporting by Bbc.*