Trump Issues Final Ultimatum to Hamas on Gaza Peace Plan
US President Donald Trump has issued a final ultimatum to Hamas, stating that the group has until Sunday evening, Washington, D.C. time, to accept his proposed peace deal for Gaza. The President warned of severe repercussions, stating that all hell
would break loose against Hamas if the agreement is not reached.
The 20-Point Peace Plan
The peace plan, unveiled by the White House, is a comprehensive 20-point proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war in Gaza. Key elements of the plan include an immediate ceasefire, a swap of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and Hamas disarmament. The plan also calls for a transitional government led by an international body and envisions Gaza as a deradicalized, terror-free zone
, with extensive reconstruction and rehabilitation of essential services.
Hamas has indicated that while it has accepted some elements of the plan, including the release of all remaining hostages and surrendering governing power in the Gaza Strip, other points require further consultation among Palestinians.
Global Response and Hamas' Deliberation
The peace plan has been met with cautious optimism from leaders in Arab, Islamic, and European nations. However, Hamas has signaled it needs more time to study the plan, with a senior official stating that they aim to respond in a way that serves the interests of the Palestinian people. The group has been urged by key allies - Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey - to accept the plan.
However, the plan has also faced criticism for not adequately supporting Palestinian sovereignty. The draft proposed by the US does not match the one prepared by Muslim-majority states, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Trump's Threats and Consequences
Trump's ultimatum follows a warning that all hell
would break loose against Hamas if the group does not accept the proposed peace plan. The US President has given Hamas a deadline of Sunday evening, warning of a very sad end
if the Palestinian group does not agree to his 20-point Gaza plan.
In an unprecedented move, Trump has ordered Israel to immediately
stop bombing Gaza, as he believes Hamas is ready for peace and wants to ensure the safe and quick extraction of hostages.
Current Status and Implications
As the deadline looms, the world watches closely to see if Hamas will comply with the ultimatum. The acceptance of the peace deal could mark a significant step towards ending the nearly two-year-long war in Gaza. Failure to do so, as per Trump's warning, could escalate the conflict further, with potential widespread implications for the region and beyond.
The acceptance or rejection of this peace plan will also have significant implications for the political landscape, both within Israel and internationally.