Earlier this week, The Common Sense reported on a new 20-point peace plan proposed by President Donald Trump to end the war in Gaza. The plan set out a roadmap for the war to end in 72 hours if Hamas accepted its terms, released all hostages, gave up or destroyed its armaments, and agreed to play no future role in Gaza. Hamas terrorists who wished to exit Gaza would be offered safe passage to leave. Those who committed to peaceful coexistence with Israel would be granted amnesty.

The Gaza war started almost two years ago to the day after Hamas, acting under the influence of Iran, attacked Israel from Gaza, killing many people and taking hostages back into Gaza. The Israelis have maintained that the war cannot end until the hostages have been recovered and Hamas disarmed and politically neutralised.

Trump offered Hamas just days to agree to essentially the same terms or face further onslaughts against their remaining positions in Gaza and possibly elsewhere in the Middle East.

Last night, the Hamas leadership signalled capitulation to key Trump demands. In a statement, the terror group said: “After thorough study, the movement has made its decision and has delivered the following response to the brotherly mediators…the movement announces its approval to release all prisoners of the occupation, both living and the bodies of the deceased, according to the exchange formula included in President Trump's proposal, and with the provision of appropriate field conditions for carrying out the exchange process. In this regard, the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter into negotiations, through the mediators, to discuss the details.”

The terror group also indicated agreement: “to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body composed of independents, based on Palestinian national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic backing.”

But the Hamas statement also included the following vague commitment that appeared to be at odds with the Trump instruction that Hamas would play no further role in the enclave: “As for the other issues included in President Trump's proposal that relate to the future of the Gaza Strip and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, these are subject to a comprehensive national position and must be based on relevant international laws and resolutions. These matters shall be discussed within a unified Palestinian national framework, in which Hamas will participate and contribute with full responsibility.”

In response, President Trump said: “Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly... this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”

A Hamas negotiating team is due in Cairo tonight to start further talks. Key Arab states, including influential Qatar, have already publicly backed the Trump plan.

Israelis are said to be sceptical of the Hamas response, although they see little option other than to go along with the plan’s provisions for the time being. Should Hamas simply be using the plan as breathing room, and to force Israel to abandon key positions in Gaza, the Jewish state has the ability will retake those positions again. Such a betrayal by Hamas would also stand as a global public humiliation for the American President, who, almost a year into his term, is smarting at being unable to draw the Ukraine war to a quick conclusion.