US President Donald Trump has set a strict deadline for Hamas to accept a 20-point peace proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Writing on his Truth Social account on Friday, Trump warned that an agreement must be reached by 18:00 Washington time (22:00 GMT) on Sunday, or Hamas would face “all hell, like no one has ever seen before.”
The proposal, developed in coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for an immediate end to fighting and the release of 20 living Israeli hostages within 72 hours, along with the remains of deceased captives. In exchange, hundreds of detained Gazans would be freed.
The plan also outlines the future governance of Gaza, excluding Hamas from power. Instead, a temporary technocratic Palestinian committee would run Gaza under the supervision of a newly formed international transitional body called the Board of Peace, to be chaired by Trump himself. The framework leaves the possibility of an eventual Palestinian state, though Netanyahu has reiterated his opposition to such a move.
Mixed Reactions from Hamas and Regional Leaders
Reports suggest Hamas’s military leadership in Gaza is opposed to the deal, mainly due to the requirement to release all hostages at once, surrendering its main bargaining tool. However, some members of Hamas’s political leadership in Qatar are said to be open to negotiations with adjustments.
Meanwhile, a joint statement from the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan welcomed the plan, stressing that it should pave the way for a two-state solution. The Palestinian Authority also praised Trump’s “sincere and determined” efforts.
Trump has warned that if Hamas rejects the plan, the US will fully back Israel in “finishing the job of destroying the threat of Hamas.” Netanyahu echoed this stance, saying Israel would act decisively if the group fails to comply.
The conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack that killed 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken, has since claimed over 66,000 lives in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
