Hope for Gaza's Future: Insights from Khaled Qaddoumi

In a recent televised interview, Khaled Qaddoumi, the Hamas representative in Tehran, shared important insights regarding the movement’s conditional approval of a proposed ceasefire plan. This statement comes after extensive consultations among Hamas leadership and friendly mediators worldwide, highlighting the ongoing efforts for peace in Gaza.

Qaddoumi expressed skepticism about the intentions behind U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace claims, stating, “Trump claims he seeks peace. We responded that this is good, but the details must be examined.” He elaborated that Hamas engaged with the proposal through mediation from Qatari and Egyptian officials.

According to Qaddoumi, the statement from Hamas outlined several critical conditions necessary for the ceasefire:

Immediate end to the war
Withdrawal of foreign troops from Gaza
Entry of humanitarian aid
Initiation of reconstruction efforts

He emphasized that Hamas hopes international partners will facilitate the implementation of this plan, aiming to bring tangible relief to the people of Gaza. Qaddoumi also pointed out the growing global support for the Palestinian cause, citing that “60 percent of American university students have voted in favor of Hamas and against Israel.”

Furthermore, he noted the launch of the Sumud flotilla, which aims to assist Gazans and respond to the ongoing violence. “People across Iran, Lebanon, Tunisia, Iraq, and elsewhere have come to understand that Israel is not only the enemy of Palestine but of all nations in the region,” he added.

Qaddoumi discussed Trump’s peace plan, mentioning that it has temporarily suspended the forced displacement of Palestinians and recognized the resistance efforts of the people in Gaza. However, he firmly stated, “We will never trust the Zionist regime; Netanyahu only pursues his own interests and does not even think about his own people. No one in the world trusts Israel.” He reiterated the need for guarantees and emphasized, “We seek to achieve peace for our people, and they need to live a dignified life like the rest of the world.”

The Hamas representative confirmed that delegations from Qatar, Egypt, the United States, and Israel are scheduled to meet in Cairo, which he believes could lead to a “positive outcome.” Qaddoumi asserted that Hamas has provided the world with a historic opportunity to address the ongoing crisis.

The proposed 20-point plan consists of two main phases:

Temporary ceasefire – A critical step following Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and Israel’s assault on Gaza.
Broader issues – These extend beyond the scope of Hamas and include significant matters such as ending the war, achieving lasting peace, addressing political issues, the status of al-Quds, the situation of prisoners, and essential concerns like water resources.

Qaddoumi emphasized the importance of a national and regional review to address these issues, stating that they must be placed on the table with guarantees from eight Arab countries, the United Nations, and even from Trump himself. However, he cautioned against mere discussions, insisting, “These countries bear a significant responsibility. We won’t get anywhere simply by accepting a proposal and holding meetings. We must now implement the peace plan with all our might.”

He elaborated on the specifics of the agreement, which includes stopping the genocide, the withdrawal of Zionist forces from the Gaza Strip, allowing humanitarian aid into the area, and facilitating the reconstruction of Gaza. “This is a shared responsibility, and a meeting for the sake of meeting offers no benefit,” he stated.

In his remarks, Qaddoumi also touched on the future of Hamas commanders and resistance fighters in Gaza, attributing the victory of the people in Gaza to persistence and resistance. “Today, we have reached the international level because of the resistance, the armed forces of Gaza, the solidarity and patience of the people, and their support for the school of thought of resistance and the Hamas movement,” he explained.

Looking ahead, Qaddoumi expressed optimism for Gaza’s future, prioritizing the improvement of the humanitarian situation and seeking sustainable political solutions for Palestinian society. “Hamas has always opposed any forced displacement of Palestinians. Nearly 900,000 Palestinian citizens now live in Gaza, and displaced people have begun returning from the south to the north, rather than leaving Palestinian territory,” he concluded.