President Donald Trump of the United States has delivered a forceful ultimatum to Hamas: accept a US-mediated peace proposal for Gaza by Sunday evening or face unprecedented consequences.
In a passionate message posted on Truth Social this past Friday, Trump warned, “If this FINAL OPPORTUNITY agreement is not accepted, chaos unlike anything ever witnessed will erupt against Hamas. PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST WILL BE ACHIEVED, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.”
The cutoff time is set for 6:00 PM Washington time (10:00 PM GMT) on Sunday, following Trump’s earlier statement on Tuesday that Hamas had “three to four days” to respond to the offer.
The comprehensive 20-point proposal, revealed Monday at the White House alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demands an immediate cessation of hostilities, the release of 20 living Israeli hostages believed to be held by Hamas within 72 hours, the return of remains of those presumed dead, and the liberation of hundreds of Palestinian detainees in exchange.
Additional provisions include the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza once both parties consent, and the establishment of a temporary Gaza administration managed by a “technocratic, nonpartisan Palestinian committee” supervised by an international entity named the Board of Peace – chaired by Trump himself.
The agreement explicitly excludes Hamas from any governing role in Gaza and leaves open the door for the potential creation of a Palestinian state in the future.
Nonetheless, internal rifts within Hamas cast doubt on the plan’s viability. Reports indicate that mediators have reached out to the leader of Hamas’s military wing in Gaza, who has dismissed the proposal. Meanwhile, some political figures within Hamas based in Qatar appear somewhat receptive to the deal with modifications, though their sway is limited as they do not control the hostages.
A major obstacle remains the demand that all hostages be freed within the initial 72 hours of a ceasefire – a condition many within Hamas see as relinquishing their sole leverage.
US intelligence estimates suggest that 48 hostages are still held in Gaza, with only around israel/” title=”… Reacts Strongly as UK, Canada, and Australia Officially Recognize Palestinian State”>20 believed to be alive.
While the plan hints at a route toward Palestinian sovereignty, Netanyahu quickly distanced himself from that interpretation, reaffirming his long-standing opposition.
“The agreement does not include this. We have clearly stated our strong opposition to a Palestinian state,” he declared in a video message.
Meanwhile, Arab and Turkish intermediaries are urging Hamas to accept the proposal, and a coalition of foreign ministers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan released a joint statement expressing their willingness to collaborate with Washington to finalize and implement the plan.
They stressed that the agreement should facilitate a “two-state solution, integrating Gaza fully with the West Bank within a Palestinian state.”
The Palestinian Authority (PA), which administers parts of the occupied West Bank, commended Trump’s initiative, describing it as “genuine and resolute.”
Trump has cautioned that refusal to accept the deal will trigger severe repercussions, stating, “Israel will have US support to complete the mission of eliminating the Hamas threat.”
Netanyahu echoed this determination, asserting that Israel “will complete the mission” if Hamas does not comply.
This ultimatum arrives nearly two years into Israel’s military operation in Gaza, launched in response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on southern Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken.
Since then, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports that at least 66,288 Palestinians have died due to Israeli strikes.
