News- Middle East: Hamas has scored a major diplomatic victory over Israel and the US by responding to President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan in a measured yet politically shrewd manner, netizens say.

Social media users took to X on Saturday to praise the tactical savvy of the resistance group's response, highlighting how it re-framed the ceasefire debate and exposed Israel’s refusal to meet humanitarian demands.

Rather than outright rejecting Trump's plan, Hamas accepted key humanitarian terms—aid delivery, prisoner exchange, and an end to hostilities—while attaching conditions that highlight Israel’s refusal to reciprocate, leaving Benjamin Netanyahu politically cornered and undermining the US narrative.

Palestinian-Canadian commentator Afif Aqrabawi hailed the move as a clever and principled maneuver, saying, “Hamas dismantled Trump’s ‘peace plan’ by accepting its humanitarian terms but on their own conditions."

"Hostages can no longer justify slaughter and land theft. Israel is exposed. It can accept and end the war, or refuse and reveal itself as the true obstacle. Brilliant diplomacy," he said.

Social media user Hadi said Israel’s leadership has been caught off guard by the diplomatic pressure created by Hamas’ response.

“Hamas cornered Israel diplomatically after embarrassing it militarily. The genocide might not stop and if it did Israel will likely violate the ceasefire. Either way, Israel took a humiliating blow.”

"The genocide might not stop and if it did Israel will likely violate the ceasefire. Either way, Israel took a humiliating blow," Hadi added.

X user Hala Jaber praised the tactical clarity in Hamas’s written response, describing it as "politically shrewd."

She said, “Hamas has formally issued a written response to Trump’s ceasefire ‘proposal.’ It’s… surprisingly diplomatic, & dare I say, politically shrewd."

"Because rather than rejecting it outright, Hamas flipped the table: they accepted the key humanitarian points…Now Trump can’t claim they oppose peace, & Netanyahu looks like the obstacle.”

Social media user Thomas Keith described Hamas’s approach as deliberate and measured, which has focused on fundamental rights and long-term solutions rather than temporary gestures.

“The Hamas response is pragmatic, measured, not impulsive," Keith said, adding that the Palestinian group is not "chasing empty gestures or getting baited into a trap."

"Every statement emphasizes clarity of purpose: rights and red lines are non-negotiable, and any settlement must address the root causes, siege, occupation, forced displacement, not just offer temporary relief or PR cover for the enemy," said the analyst.

X user Yemen Researcher said Hamas' response is a masterful political maneuver, which has effectively turned international opinion against Israel’s actions.

“Any sane person will admit Hamas’ response was smart, clever and masterfully cunning. Both in wording and in content. Now we can only hope everything works out in the negotiations to come.”

Late on Friday, Hamas responded to Trump's proposal to end Israel’s two-year war on Gaza, saying it was ready to release all remaining captives and transfer power to other Palestinians. Hamas made no mention of disarming – a key demand from Israel, which was included in Trump’s plan.

Trump has welcomed Hamas’s statement and called for Israel to stop bombing Gaza.

Israeli media reported on Saturday that Trump’s demand that Israel “immediately stop bombing Gaza” and his insistence that Hamas is ready for “lasting peace” were received with “shock” by Netanyahu.

Source: Press TV