Gaza city: The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has expressed approval of US President Donald Trump's recent call for Israel to cease its ongoing attacks on Gaza and has urged him to further press Israel towards the implementation of the second phase of the peace plan.
According to TRTworld.com, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem confirmed President Trump's commitment to the ceasefire, emphasizing the necessity for the US to exert pressure on the Israeli occupation to adhere to the agreed terms of the Gaza peace plan. Trump's statement, "Israelis should not be striking in Gaza. Hamas agreed to lay down their weapons," highlights a pivotal moment in the ongoing negotiations.
In further comments, Trump revealed that the US has maintained a separate communication channel with Hamas. "We have a different channel with Hamas, and ultimately they are giving up their guns," he stated. This underscores a unique diplomatic approach in handling the peace process.
In a related development, Jared Kushner, Trump's adviser and son-in-law, commenced a strategic meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, as reported by Israeli media. Kushner was accompanied by Nickolay Mladenov, the lead envoy for Gaza from the Board of Peace, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The Times of Israel cited an unnamed source indicating that the discussions are focused on advancing all elements of Trump's 15-point plan rather than solely seeking Tel Aviv's endorsement.
Prior to this meeting, Kushner, Mladenov, and Blair visited Cairo to engage with Hamas officials in similar discussions. The dialogue aims to address the ongoing challenges in Gaza, where an October 2023 conflict resulted in over 73,000 deaths and more than 174,000 injuries.
Despite a ceasefire in place since October 2025, which marked the first phase of Trump's Gaza plan, Israeli attacks have persisted, leading to additional casualties and injuries, according to Gaza's health ministry. The second phase of Trump's plan involves significant steps including the transfer of Gaza's administration to a Palestinian technocratic committee, the deployment of an international stabilization force, and a phased Israeli withdrawal.
As Washington moves forward with efforts to implement Trump's Gaza peace plan, the focus remains on the disarmament of Hamas and an Israeli military withdrawal, paving the way for reconstruction and stabilization efforts in the region.