The U.S. president’s proposed “withdrawal line” leaves room for contention — What Hamas fears and demands
U.S. President Donald Trump said in a new post that Israel has agreed to an “initial withdrawal line” in Gaza following negotiations, a proposal the U.S. has already shared with Hamas. Trump also released a map showing the proposed line, which lies several kilometers inside Palestinian territory. He added that once Hamas confirms the deal, a cease-fire will take immediate effect, triggering a prisoner and hostage exchange.
According to The Times of Israel, the proposed line roughly corresponds to the control boundaries that existed before Israel’s major offensive in Gaza City, when the Israel Defense Forces held about 70% of the enclave. That would leave Israeli troops in place in southern Gaza — including Rafah and Khan Younis — as well as in large parts of the north and across an expanded “security zone” along the border.
Despite positive signals from Washington, Hamas is expected to approach the plan cautiously, viewing it as falling short of its core demands.
1. Partial Withdrawal
Hamas has repeatedly said it will not accept a partial or temporary pullout. Continued Israeli presence in Rafah, Khan Younis and northern Gaza would, in its view, amount to an ongoing occupation under another name.
2. Suspicion of a Temporary Truce
The group fears the agreement could serve as a tactical pause, allowing Israel to regroup before resuming operations. Without an international monitoring mechanism, such a scenario remains possible.
3. Lack of International Guarantees
Absent assurances from third parties or international bodies such as the UN, Egypt or Qatar, Hamas is likely to deem the proposal unreliable and one-sided.
4. Ambiguity in Prisoner Exchange
Hamas seeks clear commitments on the release of Palestinian prisoners, including specific ratios and timelines. Any ambiguity could stall or derail implementation.
5. Political Marginalization
The group is unlikely to endorse any deal that limits its role in Gaza’s future governance or transfers authority to an international body or the Palestinian Authority without its participation.
Outlook
Given its previous stance, Hamas is unlikely to accept Trump’s proposed withdrawal line unless further guarantees are introduced and the withdrawal is comprehensive.
The group is expected to seek revisions that include:
- Full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza,
- Clear and reciprocal prisoner exchange terms, and
- International oversight to ensure compliance with the cease-fire.
Without those assurances, Hamas is expected to delay or reject the proposal, maintaining a hardline negotiating position and insisting on the complete liberation of Gaza.
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