Trump Sets Hamas Deadline for Gaza Peace Plan Amid Dire Consequences Warning

Trump Puts Hamas on Notice: Deadline Looms for Gaza Peace Plan Agreement

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a final ultimatum to Hamas on Friday, demanding that the group agree to his plan to end the war in Gaza, and warning that the movement would face dire consequences if it refused to sign. "I demand that all innocent Palestinian civilians immediately evacuate this area, which is likely to see mass casualties in the future, and head to a safer location in the Gaza Strip. Individuals waiting in the safe area will provide appropriate care for everyone. Hamas must immediately release all hostages, including the bodies of those who have died, and an agreement must be reached by 6 p.m. Washington D.C. time on Sunday (6 a.m. Beijing time on Monday). All countries have signed in agreement! If this is not reached, Hamas will face unprecedented destruction. Peace will be achieved in the Middle East in any way possible," Trump posted on social media Friday.

Details of Trump's Gaza Peace Plan

Earlier this week, Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu jointly announced a "20-Point Plan," also referred to as the "Comprehensive Solution to the Gaza Conflict Plan." The plan calls for Hamas to release all Israeli hostages and disarm. It also stipulates a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. While Netanyahu has signed the agreement, and Trump claims to have secured support from other Middle Eastern allies, Hamas has yet to agree to its terms. The New York Times reported that a senior Hamas political member said the group was willing to discuss plans related to the war in Gaza, but would not accept a hardline “take it or leave it” demand. "Hamas is seriously discussing this proposal," Hamas official Mohammad Nazzal said in an interview with Al Jazeera on Thursday, adding that the group was consulting with other Palestinian factions and would announce its position soon. Nazzal added that Hamas had certain “observations” on the “20-Point Plan” and was looking for negotiable “gray areas” within it.

Implications of Hamas' Decision

Hamas' decision on this proposal will have profound implications for Palestinian civilians in Gaza and Israeli hostages still held there – who have suffered greatly in nearly two years of war. Accepting the agreement could immediately end hostilities, while any other response could prolong the conflict. Netanyahu has voiced his support for the plan, telling reporters on Monday that if Hamas refuses to accept it, Israel will continue its military operations in Gaza and “get the job done alone.” Palestinian analysts say that Hamas is currently facing a difficult situation, and must respond to this proposal that is divisive among its supporters. "Rejecting this proposal would make one feel that Hamas is making excuses to prolong the war; accepting it is tantamount to signing its own death warrant," said Esmat Mansour, a Palestinian analyst who spent years in Israeli prisons with Hamas leaders. But he added that demanding major revisions to the proposal may not be an option Trump is willing to consider. Statements from some Hamas officials have already hinted at their opposition to Trump's plan. "Although this evil enemy is committing evil acts of genocide, this resistance will continue until our people achieve their goals and aspirations," Abdel Jabbar Saeed, a Hamas official based in Qatar, said in a social media post on Thursday. Different views exist within Hamas, with some members taking a more hardline stance. "Accepting the 'Trump Plan' means political suicide and will destroy the Palestinian cause," Belal Rayan, son of a hardline Hamas leader killed by Israel in 2009, wrote on X this week. However, some analysts, including Mansour, believe that the Hamas leadership may accept the core terms of the plan, even if it means essentially admitting defeat. Mansour said that if this is the case, Hamas will demand that Israel provide a clear timetable for withdrawal and ending the war. "They don't have much left to rely on," he said. "Maybe they are looking for a way out of this mess."