President Donald Trump has given Hamas a Sunday evening deadline to accept a U.S.-backed peace plan. He threatened that “all hell” would break out if the group refused the deal.
The ultimatum comes as Gaza nears the second anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on Israel that killed about 1,200 people and triggered the war. The war has had a devastating impact, killing more than 66,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and displacing roughly 90% of the population.
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What the plan would do
Trump unveiled the proposal this week alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The proposal requires Hamas to release all 48 remaining hostages, disarm its forces and give up political power.
In return, the plan calls for Israel to stop its offensive, pull back from large parts of Gaza and permit a surge of humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts, along with the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
The territory would fall under international governance overseen by Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, with no path outlined toward a Palestinian state.
How Hamas and others responded
A Hamas official told the AP that some elements of the deal were “unacceptable” and needed changes. Mohammad Nazzal, a senior Hamas figure, told Al Jazeera the group had “comments” on the 20-point proposal and was searching for “gray areas” to negotiate, according to the New York Times.
Egypt and Qatar, key mediators, have also signaled that details still require discussion.
What Trump and Israel are signaling
On social media, Trump wrote that Hamas fighters are “surrounded and MILITARILY TRAPPED,” and warned they would be “quickly extinguished” if the deal falls through. He urged civilians to flee “for safer parts of Gaza.” Netanyahu has rejected Hamas’ counter-terms of a lasting cease-fire and full withdrawal, insisting the group must disarm.
If Hamas accepts by Sunday, the deal could halt the war and return the remaining hostages. If not, Trump has threatened a major escalation. The timing coincides with Tuesday’s anniversary of the 2023 attack, adding pressure to reach a resolution.
