United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the response of the Palestinian group Hamas to the ceasefire plan earlier proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, describing it as a step that could open fresh avenues for peace in the long-troubled Middle East. The development has rekindled cautious optimism among international observers, though doubts remain over the feasibility of a lasting agreement.
In a statement released by his office in New York, Guterres urged all parties involved in the conflict to seize the opportunity presented by Hamas’ willingness to engage with the proposal. He stressed that dialogue, compromise, and mutual recognition remained the only path to ending the cycle of violence that has claimed countless lives on both sides. “The Secretary-General welcomes this opening and encourages constructive engagement from all stakeholders,” the UN statement read.
The Trump-era ceasefire plan, originally presented as part of a broader Middle East peace initiative, has long been met with skepticism. While some regional actors considered it an opportunity to halt hostilities, many Palestinians criticized it as one-sided and overly favorable to Israeli interests. Hamas’ latest response, however, is seen as a possible softening of its earlier position, signaling that the group may be more open to negotiations under current regional realities.
Diplomatic sources said the move could pave the way for new discussions involving the United Nations, regional mediators such as Egypt and Qatar, as well as major global powers. The goal, according to UN officials, would be to build on the framework of the ceasefire proposal and craft a broader settlement addressing security guarantees, humanitarian access, and the long-term political aspirations of the Palestinian people.
Reactions have been mixed among stakeholders. While Israeli officials have yet to issue a formal statement, some Israeli media outlets reported growing concerns within the government about Hamas’ strategy, suggesting that the group may be seeking to strengthen its political standing without making significant concessions. On the other hand, Palestinian civil groups have cautiously welcomed Hamas’ response, urging the international community to pressure Israel to also show flexibility.
The United States, through its State Department, has maintained that it continues to support any credible steps toward peace and is monitoring developments closely. European Union officials likewise expressed support for renewed engagement but cautioned that meaningful progress could only come through inclusive negotiations that guarantee the rights and security of both Israelis and Palestinians.
As the situation unfolds, the UN chief reiterated his call for restraint and urged all sides to avoid actions that could jeopardize the fragile opening. He emphasized that the global community must work collectively to turn this response into a concrete step toward peace, warning that failure to act could once again plunge the region into deeper instability.
