Hamas studies the response while the world supports the Trump-Netanyahu plan

BarcelonaHamas has not yet commented on the matter. The ultimatum issued this Monday by Donald Trump and Benjamin NetanyahuThe Islamist group had not received the details of the plan proposed by the US president until the White House made them public shortly before the two leaders' appearance in Washington. After Egypt and Qatar, as mediators, sent the document to the negotiators, Hamas simply said it would study it "with good will."

This Tuesday, Trump gave the Islamist group "three or four days" to respond. Qatar considered that "it is still early," but added that the mediating country is "optimistic."

While awaiting the most decisive response of all, several world leaders have positioned themselves in favor of the 20-point plan, which provides for the disarmament of Hamas, the sudden return of all Israeli hostages, a gradual—and open-ended—withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and the establishment of a kind of transitional protectorate led by Trump himself and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

From Palestine, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) has expressed its support, while the Palestinian Islamic Jihad has rejected the proposal, claiming that it is "a recipe for blowing up the region." For now, this is one of the few negative reactions Trump and Netanyahu have received, while they have received positive words from leaders of both Arab and European countries.

Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates have signed a joint statement applauding Trump's "sincere efforts" to end the war in Gaza. "The (foreign) ministers welcome President Trump's announcement of his proposal to end the war, rebuild Gaza, prevent the displacement of the Palestinian people, and advance a comprehensive peace, as well as his announcement that he will not allow the annexation of the West Bank," the statement added.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also welcomed the agreement, saying it "paves the way for long-term peace, security, and sustainable development" for Israel, Palestine, and the entire region. "We hope that all parties involved will unite behind President Trump's initiative and support this effort to end the conflict and establish peace," Modi wrote in X.

Europe highlights the historic opportunity

From Brussels, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has stressed that Trump's plan is positive and has encouraged Israel and Palestine to "seize this opportunity now." The majority of European countries have expressed themselves along the same lines. Germany, one of Israel's historical allies, considered it "a unique opportunity to end the terrible war" and Italy also said that "it could mark a turning point, making a permanent cessation of hostilities possible."

France has redoubled the pressure on the Islamist group: "Hamas has no other option but to immediately accept the release of all the hostages and follow this plan," Emmanuel Macron wrote to X. Along the same lines has been expressed the premier British Prime Minister Keir Starmer: "Hamas should accept the plan now and end the misery by handing over its weapons and freeing all the hostages."

Even Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, one of the most vocal critics of Israel, has expressed his support, albeit with more ambiguous language and an emphasis on a two-state solution, a point Israel has made clear it will not accept.

China has been more ambiguous, saying it supports "all efforts" to achieve peace, and Russia has also applauded Trump's steps to end the conflict: "Of course, we want this plan to be implemented and for it to help bring events in the Middle East to a peaceful conclusion," AFP reported.

Criticism from the most radical sectors in Israel

From within Israel, Benny Gantz, the main opposition leader, also applauded the proposal, while Netanyahu received criticism from within his governing coalition, from more radical sectors. Far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich said the plan is a "remarkable diplomatic failure" and represents "turning our backs on all the lessons of October 7." "The celebrations since yesterday are simply absurd," he added in a message to X.