Hamas continues to be the most significant obstacle to President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, as the group maintains control over parts of the territory and resists key provisions like disarmament, despite a recent ceasefire agreement. This persistence threatens broader stability and reconstruction efforts in the war-torn enclave.
Under the current deal, Hamas has ceded control of more than half of Gaza to Israeli forces, but it remains the dominant power in other areas. Reports from these regions indicate that Hamas is rounding up Palestinians who oppose its rule and conducting executions in the streets, demonstrating its commitment to an iron grip rather than peace or justice for civilians. This behavior underscores that Hamas’s aims are centered on preserving its authority, not improving Palestinian welfare, and it continues to pose a direct threat to any lasting resolution.
Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which has been signed off by Israel and Hamas, effectively bifurcates Gaza with a demarcation line, allowing Israeli troops to secure border areas indefinitely. The plan mandates that Hamas must eventually disarm and relinquish any role in postwar governance, but the group’s entrenched political and security apparatus makes this extremely challenging. Hamas has spent decades ensuring no Palestinian challengers can emerge, and its history of violent rule, including a 2007 coup that seized full control of Gaza, highlights its resistance to compromise.
The recent ceasefire, which led to the release of all living Israeli hostages, represents a tactical retreat by Hamas, but the situation remains fragile. Disputes over the return of deceased hostages’ bodies have raised fears that the truce could collapse, though U.S. advisers are downplaying immediate threats, asserting that Hamas intends to honor the agreement. Delays in recovering remains, attributed to a need for specialist equipment, have frustrated families and Israeli officials, adding tension to an already precarious peace process.
International efforts are now focused on establishing an interim security force to replace Israeli units in Gaza, a key component of Trump’s plan that Hamas has reluctantly accepted in principle. This marks the first time in two decades that the group has acknowledged an alternative force, opening a potential pathway to a Gaza without Hamas. However, standing up such a force is complex, requiring coordination among multiple countries with varying legal and operational constraints, similar to past coalitions like the one that defeated ISIS.
Reconstruction in Gaza faces monumental hurdles, with satellite data suggesting over 60 million tonnes of debris littering the Strip, including unexploded ordnance and human remains. The United Nations and other agencies emphasize that clearing roads and essential sites like hospitals is a priority before rebuilding can begin, a process estimated to cost billions of dollars and take years. The sheer scale of destruction, coupled with Hamas’s ongoing influence, complicates efforts to provide aid and restore basic services, leaving many Palestinians in dire conditions.
The success of Trump’s plan hinges on pressuring Hamas to demilitarize and supporting civilians willing to separate from the group, potentially by creating secure areas and incentives for relocation. U.S. leadership is critical in mobilizing global resources and diplomatic support, but without a viable alternative to Hamas’s rule, the risk of renewed conflict remains high. The coming weeks will test whether the international community can translate this agreement into tangible progress on the ground.
Ultimately, if Hamas continues to resist disarmament and maintain control, it could undermine not only Trump’s initiative but also any hope for a rehabilitated Gaza and regional peace. The group’s ability to adapt and exploit divisions means that sustained, coordinated action is essential to break its grip and pave the way for a stable future.