• Former President Donald Trump says he expects "positive answer" from Hamas on newly proposed peace plan
  • Unofficial leaks reveal 21-point proposal includes immediate ceasefire, hostage release, and Hamas demilitarization
  • Qatar reportedly confident it can persuade Hamas to accept demilitarization, marking significant diplomatic development

Breaking the Impasse

Donald Trump has expressed cautious optimism that Hamas may respond favorably to his newly proposed peace initiative aimed at ending the Israel-Gaza conflict, telling associates he feels "we will have a positive answer from Hamas" according to people familiar with the discussions.

The proposal, which has been circulating through backchannel communications for several days, represents what mediators describe as the most comprehensive attempt to break the diplomatic stalemate that has persisted throughout the recent hostilities. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged the plan is not yet finalized, the involvement of multiple intermediaries suggests serious negotiations are underway.

The Proposal's Framework

Unofficial leaks obtained from diplomatic sources outline a 21-point framework that includes an immediate end to Israeli military operations once an agreement is reached, the release and return of all remaining hostages—48 total with 20 believed still alive—along with the remains of deceased hostages, and the complete destruction of Hamas weapons stockpiles.

One particularly contentious element involves provisions allowing Hamas fighters committed to peaceful coexistence to remain in Gaza while others could leave voluntarily. This represents a significant departure from previous Israeli positions that demanded complete dismantlement of the organization.

Mediation Efforts Intensify

Qatar has informed U.S. officials that it believes it can persuade Hamas to accept the demilitarization requirements, according to people briefed on the communications. This development is particularly noteworthy given that previous negotiation rounds have repeatedly foundered on this exact issue, with Hamas previously rejecting demilitarization without guarantees of an independent Palestinian state.

"The Qataris are playing this very carefully," said one European diplomat who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations. "They're positioning themselves as honest brokers while recognizing the enormous concessions being asked of Hamas."

Reactions and Realities

Hamas officials have publicly stated they have not formally received the proposal and have dismissed early reports as a distraction from the conflict's humanitarian impact. Meanwhile, the Netanyahu government remains cautious, with one Israeli official emphasizing that "sovereignty and security considerations will guide our final position."

Some Israeli Arab leaders have reportedly expressed support for the blueprint's general framework, though details remain fluid as negotiations continue behind closed doors. The U.S. administration has heavily involved itself in the mediation efforts, with multiple senior officials shuttling between regional capitals in recent days.

What Comes Next

The coming 48-72 hours are seen as critical, according to people familiar with the timeline. Mediators are working to formalize the proposal for presentation to both parties, though significant hurdles remain—particularly around sequencing of demilitarization and the mechanism for verifying compliance.

As one regional analyst noted, "The devil will be in the verification details. Previous agreements have collapsed over much less contentious issues than complete demilitarization of an armed group."

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the number of hostages believed to be alive. The correct number is 20.