Will Hamas Relinquish Power? Trump’s Core Demand in Gaza Peace Plan

Beyond the immediate ceasefire and hostage release, the core, long-term demand of President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan is that Hamas must relinquish power. This fundamental condition is shaping the final stages of a deal that could end the two-year war.
While the deal is being publicly framed around the hostage exchange, Trump’s warning of “complete obliteration” is explicitly tied to Hamas’s refusal “to give up power and control of Gaza.” This makes it clear that for the U.S., a ceasefire is only the first step toward a complete political overhaul of the territory.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio alluded to this, noting Hamas has agreed to discuss a post-war plan. However, the U.S. interpretation of this plan appears to be non-negotiable: it must result in a new governing structure for Gaza, free from Hamas’s control.
This demand poses an existential challenge to Hamas. The group has “basically” agreed to the deal’s initial phases, which see them gain an Israeli military pullback. But whether they will consent to their own political dissolution in the long run remains the biggest unanswered question.
As the deal moves toward finalization, the world is watching to see if Hamas will comply with this core demand. Their decision will determine whether the current agreement leads to a lasting peace or is merely a temporary pause before a new conflict over the future of Gaza erupts.