U.S. President Donald Trump has given Hamas until Sunday evening to accept a U.S.-backed peace plan for Gaza or face what he described as “all hell.”
In a statement on his Truth Social platform Friday, Trump set a deadline of 18:00 Washington time (22:00 GMT) for Hamas to agree to a ceasefire proposal brokered with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The plan calls for an immediate halt to hostilities, the release within 72 hours of 20 surviving Israeli hostages and the remains of others believed dead, in exchange for hundreds of detained Gazans.
Trump warned: “If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas. THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.”
Mediators from Arab states and Turkey are pressing Hamas to accept, but divisions persist. The group’s military wing in Gaza has reportedly rejected the deal, while political leaders in Qatar have expressed openness with adjustments but lack direct control over hostages.
A sticking point remains the demand that Hamas release all hostages within 72 hours, potentially stripping the group of its key bargaining chip. About 48 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza, though only 20 are thought to be alive.
The 20-point plan also rules out any future role for Hamas in governing Gaza and proposes temporary administration by a technocratic Palestinian committee under an international “Board of Peace” led by Trump. While the framework leaves open the possibility of a Palestinian state, Netanyahu has since reiterated his opposition.
If accepted, the plan promises immediate delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
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