Hamas has firmly rejected the second phase of the United States President's Gaza peace plan, criticizing proposals to expel its members as 'absurd and nonsense.' Senior Hamas officials emphasized that disarmament will not happen without a clear route to Palestinian statehood. The first phase of the plan saw Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza and displaced families allowed to return. Hamas faces a Monday deadline to release Israeli hostages in exchange for prisoners, but negotiations remain tense and unresolved. Israel has warned that military operations may resume if Hamas does not comply with disarmament demands.