"[A deal to bring peace to Gaza represents a] great breakthrough [despite signs from both Hamas and Israel that significant hurdles remained before a deal can be implemented]."

"It's a big step for the Middle East, and people are really impressed by it, and they're surprised by it."  

"[Israel is] very happy [about the deal]."

"Israel helped us, and they've been very good."

"Will it go through its ups and downs? It's a very complex situation over there."

U.S. President Donald J. Trump 

 

"Israel has conveyed its comments and concerns on the proposed framework to our American counterparts."

"The version that has been made public does not reflect Israel's positions."

Doron Spielman, spokesman, office of Israeli Prime Minister 

President Donald Trump gestures during a family photo during a summit to support ending the more than two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza after a breakthrough ceasefire deal, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, as Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani watch. In back are the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Netherland’s Prime Minister Dick Schoof (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool)

 

"[Hamas will not change its mentality and] resisting the occupation is its holy mission."

"This is an exceptional phase in Palestinian history. Because of forced necessity, the hard circumstances in Gaza, we accept this agreement."

"But I think that as Hamas, I can confirm that we didn't change our mentality, our goal to end the occupation, to continue to end the occupation with the Palestinian factions, because this is our holy mission."

Hamas's Ghazi Hamad 

Ghazi Hamad, member of Hamas Political Office, speaks during a protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Beirut, Lebanon, October 29, 2023; illustrative. (credit: REUTERS/AMR ALFIKY)

 

U.S. President Donald Trump may make his triumphant 'peace' statements to burnish his efforts to be recognized as a global peacemaker, in the process leaving the most affected party to continue to cope with the fallout, but that doesn't mean that the nation whose existential future is impacted by such decisions must accept them. And Israel did not, voicing its objections over the plan promoted by Mr. Trump to bring an end to the Gaza war. 

 

Demanding "verifiable" disarmament by the terrorist group Hamas, which had declared for Western consumption that it was prepared to surrender its weapons under a plan supported by the American president, to a Palestinian governing committee yet to be established, Israel knows what the U.S. president prefers not to acknowledge. Any seeming cooperation on the part of Hamas to appear to be on board with that peace plan simply buys it more time to get on with its goal.

 

That time fruitfully used in restoring what it has lost, post October 7, 2023; weaponry, territory, trust of Palestinians in Gaza, and Hamas operatives lost to the Israel Defense Forces huntdown of Hamas members, hiding behind the civilian population in Gaza. The latest document the Board of Peace released calling for Israel to cease its military operations "without delay", for "phased withdrawal" from Gaza is a losing proposition.

 

In control of 60 percent of Gaza, Israel "will not retreat" -- stated an Israeli politician -- from its position in the Gaza Strip. Which essentially protects Israeli citizens --from a repeat of October 7, promised time and again by members of the Hamas politboro. Yet the Board of Peace insists: "We have provided a pragmatic path forward to transform Gaza by removing Hamas from power and seeing it hand over its weapons" said one of the Board's officials. The plan is meant to result in "improvement of life in Gaza and enhancement of security in Israel".

 

The 20-point plan focused on ending Hamas rule along with its stockpile of weapons to be replaced with a Palestinian government and police to enable reconstruction and reconciliation with Israel. Reconciliation means what...a recognition of Israel's right to exist, a fundamental issue the Palestinian Authority has never agreed to? 

 

Hamas to shed its heavy weaponry as part of a bridging proposal reviving the peace process following months of mediated negotiations in Cairo. Heavy weaponry...rockets and other violent propulsion systems, but arms so beloved by the Hamas rank-and-file, an issue set aside for the present... Pointing out that actions by Hamas since both signed that plan, signify unmistakably that preparations for "further October 7-type massacres", went nowhere.

 

Hamas has agreed to a disarmament plan, according to the Gaza Board of Peace, but only if Israel withdraws from the territory. Former Canadian ambassador to Israel Jon Allen is 'highly skeptical' about the deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, saying the president has made many promises, but significant controversy remains over the outcome.  CBC News