Hamas begins internal consultations to study Trump's Gaza peace plan: source

GAZA -- Hamas has started consultations and discussions with other Palestinian factions to study a plan proposed by US President Donald Trump to end the war in the Gaza Strip, a Hamas source said on Tuesday.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that mediators from Qatar and Egypt reviewed the plan before presenting it to Hamas leadership and other factions.

He said that the consultations may take time, as the submitted document is supposed to form the basis of any potential agreement, despite contradictions in Trump's recent statements and what he described as "daily shifts" in positions.

According to the source, Hamas is open to proposals as long as they do not undermine "Palestinian national principles."

However, he described the plan as "biased toward Israel" and including "unreasonable conditions" that aim to weaken the movement both politically and militarily.

He said the proposal presented by Washington did not reflect what was discussed with Arab states but rather aligned with the positions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

On Monday, Trump said in a joint conference with Netanyahu that the plan includes an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages within 72 hours in exchange for prisoner swaps, the disarmament of Hamas, and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces.

He also said that the proposal includes the establishment of an international "peace council" to manage the transitional phase and reconstruction of Gaza.

Initial reactions from Palestinian factions have reflected caution, particularly over clauses that could pave the way for handing over the administration of Gaza to external bodies or undermining the fundamental principles of the Palestinian cause.

International supporters of the plan say it could offer a chance to end nearly two years of conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in severe humanitarian and economic crises across the enclave.