Hamas' response to Gaza peace plan 'rational, responsible': Palestinian official

Hamas's position in its response to U.S. President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan for Gaza is rational and responsible, Ahmed Majdalani, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee said on Sunday, adding that Israel's and the U.S.' erratic behavior in past negotiations makes a smooth progression of this plan unlikely.

Hamas (Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement) announced on Friday that it has submitted its response to the Gaza peace proposal to regional and international mediators, saying it has agreed in principle to release all Israeli hostages, both living and deceased.

The plan calls for a ceasefire, a phased Israeli withdrawal, international oversight of reconstruction, and the release of hostages within 72 hours. In exchange, Israel would free Palestinian prisoners, and Hamas fighters who disarm could receive amnesty or safe passage.

Ahmed Majdalani, also secretary general of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, gave recognition to Hamas' response to the U.S. 20-point plan in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV).

"If Hamas does not agree to the U.S. 20-point plan, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will have an excuse to continue waging war. We believe the position expressed by Hamas in its statement is rational and responsible," he said.

Following Hamas' response, Israel should implement a ceasefire, Ahmed Majdalani said.

However, given how capriciously Israel and the United States acted in previous negotiations, it is difficult to believe this plan will proceed smoothly, he added.

"The predicament we currently face also stems from the United States' fickleness which Netanyahu tries to exploit to Israel's advantage, creating hidden risks for the implementation of the current plan. We have long been accustomed to Israel's persistent trouble-making with the attempt to obstruct the execution of any agreement," Ahmed Majdalani said.

Regarding the post-war administration of the Gaza Strip, he said that certain forces are attempting to exclude the Palestinian Authority or the PLO from Gaza affairs, adding that such schemes will not succeed.

"The vast majority of countries in the international community recognize the legitimate government of Palestine. In accordance with international law and relevant resolutions of international legitimacy, (the legitimate government of Palestine) has political, geographical, and legal jurisdiction over all Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip," Ahmed Majdalani said.

A delegation from Hamas arrived in Egypt on Sunday to prepare for Monday's negotiations with the Egyptian side in the Red Sea city of Sharm El Sheikh. The two sides will hold talks on implementing the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan.

After the Hamas meeting, the Egyptian side will hold a separate meeting with an Israeli delegation.

Hamas' response to Gaza peace plan 'rational, responsible': Palestinian official

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media