The Hamas Group Will Soon Respond To President Trump's Gaza Proposal

JAKARTA - A Hamas official said the Palestinian militant group would "immediately" respond to US President Donald Trump's proposal to end the war that has lasted nearly two years in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

Hamas' political bureau member Mohammed Nazzal told Al Jazeera Arabic on Thursday the group was discussing Trump's plans with the aim of ending Israel's war in Gaza and will soon announce its position regarding the proposal.

Nazzal said Hamas, as a representative of the Palestinian resistance, had the right to express its views "in a way that serves the interests" of the Palestinian people.

"We are not dealing (with this plan) with the logic that time is a sword directed at our necks," Nazzal said, quoted from Al Jazeera Oct. 3.

Earlier this week, the White House unveiled a 20-point document calling for an immediate ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners detained by Hamas with Israeli detained Palestinian political prisoners, Israel's gradual withdrawal from Gaza, the ceasefire of Hamas, and the formation of a transitional government led by international agencies.

On Tuesday, United States President Donald Trump gave Hamas three to four days to approve the plan.

Palestinians long for the war to end, but many believe the plan is very beneficial for Israel.

In previous negotiations, Hamas insisted that Israel withdraw completely from the hungry enclave, saying they were seeking a permanent ceasefire, with assurances that displaced families could return to their homes, particularly in northern Gaza, where Israeli forces intensified attacks.

As previously reported, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said his country was working with Qatar and Turkey to convince Palestinian militant groups Hamas to accept President Trump's plans, warning the conflict would escalate if the militant group refused.

Speaking at the French Institute of International Relations in Paris, Foreign Minister Abdelatty said Hamas had to lay off arms, while Israel should not be given reason to continue its attacks on Gaza.

"If Hamas refuses, you know, then it will be very difficult. And of course, we will experience greater escalation. That is why we are mobilizing intensive efforts so that this plan can be implemented and get Hamas approval," he said.

Foreign Minister Abdelatty said although she generally supports Trump's proposal for Gaza, more talks on it are needed.

"There are many gaps that need to be filled in; we need more discussions on how to implement them, especially on two important issues governance and security arrangements," he explained.

"We support Trump's plans and a vision to end the war and need to move forward," said Foreign Minister Abdelatty.