Palestinian resistance organisation Hamas has agreed to US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan on Wednesday, October 8th (EST). Mr Trump and Hamas have stated that the Palestinian resistance has signed the first phase of the peace deal with Israel at Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh. According to the Egyptians, the first phase of the deal will allow the entry of 400 trucks of aid daily.
In a social media post on his Truth Social platform, the US president wrote: “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly (sic)!”
He added, “This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS (sic)!”
While the declaration sparked celebrations in Gaza, Israeli attacks are still reported from several parts.
Hamas acknowledges signing Gaza peace plan
In a statement released in the wee hours from Sharm El Sheikh, the Islamic resistance Hamas announced they have signed the Gaza peace deal, mediated by Egypt and Qatar. The organisation, which has received backing from other resistance organisations like Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, expects that this will halt Israel’s ongoing genocidal attacks on Gaza.
“Following responsible and serious negotiations conducted by the Movement and the Palestinian resistance factions regarding President Trump’s proposal in Sharm El Sheikh, aimed at achieving a halt to the war of extermination against our Palestinian people and the withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip; the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) announces reaching an agreement that stipulates ending the war on Gaza, the withdrawal of the occupation from it, the entry of aid, and the exchange of prisoners,” the organisation’s statement on early morning of October 9th said.
Hamas thanked the mediators, including Mr Trump, for helping move ahead with the Gaza peace deal.
“We highly appreciate the efforts of the mediating brothers in Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, and we also value the efforts of US President Donald Trump aimed at permanently stopping the war and the complete withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip,” Hamas said.
However, Hamas has been apprehensive regarding the agreement’s future.
Hamas demands guarantee for Gaza peace deal
While thanking them, the Islamic resistance demanded that Mr Trump and other parties guarantee the implementation of the agreement.
“We call upon President Trump, the guarantor states of the agreement, and various Arab, Islamic, and international parties, to compel the occupation government to fully implement the requirements of the agreement, and not allow it to evade or procrastinate in applying what has been agreed upon,” Hamas said.
Its apprehensions rise from Israel’s previous violation of a ceasefire deal in March 2025, less than two months after agreeing to it.
Resistance silent on disarming
While disarmament and eviction of Hamas have been conditions in Mr Trump’s Gaza peace plan, Hamas and other Palestinian resistance organisations have opposed it.
Hamas has not mentioned anything related to disarmament in its statement on Mr Trump’s Gaza peace plan. It has hailed the people’s role in resistance and sacrifices.
“We salute our great people in the Gaza Strip, in Al-Quds and the West Bank, and inside and outside the homeland, who recorded unparalleled positions of glory, heroism, and honour, and confronted the fascist occupation projects that targeted them and their national rights; these great sacrifices and stances thwarted the plans of the ‘israeli’ occupation for subjugation and displacement,” Hamas said.
The Islamic resistance has also claimed that it will not abandon the people’s national rights.
“We affirm that the sacrifices of our people will not be in vain, and that we will remain faithful to the covenant, and will not abandon our people’s national rights until freedom, independence, and self-determination are achieved,” Hamas said.
Celebrations and killings continue
Resistance sources informed that the news of Hamas signing the ceasefire agreement has stirred celebrations in refugee shelters and camps at various hospitals. Although the celebrations are very cautious, unlike January 2025, they continue as people expect peace.
However, Israeli attacks continue on the Strip even when Hamas has agreed to Mr Trump’s Gaza peace plan.
According to the resistance sources, Israel continues to bomb the Gaza Strip even till the wee hours of Thursday, particularly the Sabra neighbourhood, south of Gaza City.
Resistance claims Israeli drones are flying low over Mawasi. Several explosions are rocking Gaza City.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli attacks have given rise to the toll of those killed to 67,183, and 169,841 have suffered injuries since October 7th 2023. Among these, 13,588 have been killed from March 18th onwards. Over 57,800 injuries have been reported since March 18th.
Meanwhile, between October 7th and 8th, 11 people suffered injuries while they tried to collect aid. The ministry reported that a total of 2,613 people have been killed while they tried collecting aid. A total of 19,164 people have suffered injuries while collecting aid.
It remains to be seen whether, after Hamas agreed to Mr Trump’s Gaza peace plan, Israeli attacks on the besieged enclave continue or stop altogether.
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