Hamas Likely To Skip Gaza Peace Deal Signing in Egypt, Citing Disagreements Over Trump Plan: Reports

Hamas has announced it will not attend the formal signing ceremony of the Gaza peace, according to reports, deepening doubts about the long-awaited deal's future. A senior leader of the Palestinian militant group told AFP that the decision stems from disagreements with aspects of former US President Donald Trump's proposed plan.

According to The Times of Israel, Hamas officials have firmly rejected provisions suggesting that its members should leave the Gaza Strip, describing such proposals as "absurd." Hossam Badran, a member of the group's political bureau, said any notion of expelling Palestinians from their homeland was "nonsense and unacceptable."

Disarmament a Major Obstacle

A senior Hamas official admitted that political hurdles remain steep, particularly regarding disarmament - an issue the group says is "non-negotiable." Despite discussions about stepping back from Gaza's governance, Hamas maintains that giving up its weapons is not an option. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has meanwhile warned that Israel could renew its military campaign if Hamas refuses to disarm.

The statements come ahead of Trump's planned visit to the Middle East in two days, where he is expected to mark the release of Israeli hostages and outline the next steps of his broader regional initiative.

Ceasefire and Hostage Exchange

Parts of the peace plan have already taken effect. Israel began a ceasefire on Friday and pulled back troops from parts of Gaza, allowing thousands of displaced residents to return to their devastated homes. Over the weekend, many families moved north along Gaza's coast as the truce largely held.

Under the agreement, Hamas must release 47 remaining Israeli hostages - both living and deceased - by noon on Monday. The remains of one hostage captured in 2014 are also expected to be returned. In return, Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners, including several serving life terms for attacks against Israelis. Another 1,700 Gazans detained since the outbreak of the war will also be freed.

International Oversight and Human Cost

The United States will oversee the coordination of a multinational security task force expected to include Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE, though no American troops will enter Gaza.

The conflict, which began with Hamas's October 7 assault on Israel that killed 1,219 people - mostly civilians - has left catastrophic devastation in its wake. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reports more than 67,000 dead from Israel's retaliatory offensive, figures that the United Nations has described as broadly credible.