Hamas appeared to backtrack on critical aspects of President Donald Trump’s cease-fire plan for Gaza, just hours after the world celebrated the release of all 20 living hostages. A top Hamas official declared that the group will not give up its weapons or relinquish control over the Gaza Strip.

“Not captives to Israeli terms”

Spokesman Hazem Qassem told Al-Arabiya on Monday, “We do not need to limit ourselves to the Israeli terms and definitions related to weapons. We will not be captives to Israeli terms or demands. This is one of the focal points of the struggle in the next stage, after the cessation of aggression in the Gaza Strip.”

Trump’s 20-point plan and hostages release

Trump’s peace plan, which facilitated the release of all hostages on Monday, includes provisions for how Gaza

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