Hamas accepts Trump's Gaza peace plan, but the bloodshed is far from over

Israel, militant group still appear to disagree on key elements of proposal

- Jonathan Eyal Global Affairs Correspondent

The family of a Palestinian man killed in an Israeli strike mourning over his body outside Gaza's al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital on Oct 1. US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan offers the prospect of an end to the war. PHOTO: AFP

(AFP)

Both Israel and Hamas, the militant Palestinian organisation in control of Gaza, are now signalling their willingness to start implementing a peace plan put forward by US President Donald Trump.

Hamas said on Oct 3 that it would conditionally accept a White House ceasefire proposal and that it is ready to release the Israeli hostages it currently holds, a move immediately hailed by Mr Trump as an indication that Hamas leaders "are ready for a lasting peace".

The Israelis also reacted positively. "In the light of Hamas' response, Israel is preparing to immediately implement the first phase of Mr Trump's plan for the immediate release of all hostages," said a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued in the early hours of Oct 4.

At first glance, the developments are clearly encouraging, offering the first substantial prospect of an end to the two-year-old Gaza war.

Yet, optimistic statements from the warring sides should not be taken too seriously. For what we are witnessing is just a jostling between Hamas and Israel over who should be blamed for failing to accept all the provisions contained in Mr Trump's plan.

The bloodshed is far from over.

Mr Trump revealed his 20-point plan on Sept 29. Intended not only to end the war but also to stabilise and reconstruct the devastated Palestinian enclave, the US proposal called for the release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas within 72 hours after a ceasefire comes into force.