Releasing All Hostages at Once Essential to Success of U.S. Peace Plan

Hamas is stalling for its life in Egypt. Amid negotiations over Donald Trump’s 20-point proposal for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, the Iran-backed terrorist organization is reportedly demanding that it be allowed to release Israeli hostages in phases, despite the plan’s clear statement that all must be released within 72 hours. Trump also warned on October 4 that “Hamas must move quickly or all bets will be off. I will not tolerate delay.”

Hamas likely seeks to hold back hostages to use as bargaining chips, enabling it to demand additional concessions later on. The group may be testing how firmly U.S. negotiators will stand by Trump’s statement that there was “not much” room for negotiations and that, if Hamas were to reject the proposal, Washington would give Israel its “full backing to do what [it] would” to defeat the terrorist organization. The president added on October 5 that the group faces “complete obliteration” if it insists on retaining power in Gaza.

Hamas Silent on Key Points of Trump Plan

In its response to Trump, Hamas agreed “to release all Israeli prisoners, both living and dead,” but neither accepted nor rejected the plan as a whole. The terror group’s statement reiterated its willingness “to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents,” while not mentioning disarmament, an essential demand in Trump’s proposal. Despite this, Trump dispatched special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner to Egypt for negotiations on October 5. Khalil al-Hayya, a member of Hamas’ Qatar-based leadership council, is leading the group’s delegation. An IDF strike targeting Hamas leaders in Doha killed al-Hayya’s son on September 9. 

Speaking on background, a senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera on October 6 that one of the group’s demands is linking phased releases of the remaining hostages to IDF withdrawals from Gaza. Senior Hamas official Fawzi Barhoum also stated that Hamas was seeking a “complete withdrawal of the occupation army from Gaza.” Conversely, Trump’s plan requires the IDF to withdraw to the outskirts of Gaza’s population centers, including Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Deir El-Balah, in the same 72 hours during which Hamas must release all hostages. This single-phase approach has been the position of the Trump administration for months now, with the president asserting in February that he did not want to see hostages released in “drips and drabs, not two and one and three and four and two.”

Qatari, Turkish Leaders To Attend High-Stakes Talks in Egyptian Resort City

Two key regional leaders are attending the third day of negotiations in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. First is Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. Additionally, Ibrahim Kalin, the head of Turkish intelligence, will participate in the deliberations, according to Turkish state media. The day presents another critical opportunity to exert unified pressure on Hamas to accept the American proposal completely, just as a coalition of eight Arab and Muslim nations exerted it after the plan’s unveiling. However, it remains to be seen whether the Qatari and Turkish governments will back the U.S. plan wholeheartedly, given their long-standing affinity for Hamas. Al Thani stated on September 30 that the 20 points in Trump’s plan “are principles … that require detailed discussion,” indicating an openness to Hamas positions. He added that the question of IDF withdrawal from Gaza “requires clarification.”

U.S. and Mediators Must Remain Steadfast

Past mistakes should not be repeated. Following the phased release of 33 hostages during January’s ceasefire, negotiations for a continued truce collapsed. As long as Hamas holds Israeli hostages, it can resume fighting while knowing it will retain leverage in future negotiations.

Along with international mediators, Washington should insist upon one comprehensive release of all remaining hostages, both living and deceased, as a precondition for IDF withdrawals and an end to the war. If Hamas rejects a single release, U.S. negotiators should recognize the group is not serious about the president’s plan and leave the table. As Trump said, “I will not tolerate delay.”

Aaron Goren is a research analyst and editor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). For more analysis from Aaron and FDD, please subscribe HERE. Follow Aaron on X @RealAaronGoren. Follow FDD on X @FDD. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.