Trump Gives Hamas Four Days to Respond to Gaza Peace Plan
US President Donald Trump has given Hamas a four-day window to respond to his 20-point Gaza peace plan. The ultimatum, delivered jointly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has received mixed reactions from global leaders, with the onus now resting on Hamas to accept the proposal.
The Peace Proposal
Unveiled during a meeting between Trump and Netanyahu, the US peace plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, a hostages-for-prisoners exchange, a phased Israeli withdrawal, the disarmament of Hamas, and a transition to an international administration. The plan envisions Gaza as a deradicalized, terror-free zone
and promises extensive reconstruction, including rehabilitation of hospitals, water, and public infrastructure. It also excludes Hamas from governance.
According to Middle East Eye, the plan was released to the public shortly before Trump and Netanyahu spoke. TASS reports that Hamas received copies of the proposal from representatives of Egypt and Qatar.
The Ultimatum
Trump warned that if Hamas does not accept the peace plan within the given timeframe, Israel will be given the green light to finish the job
. Netanyahu echoed this sentiment, threatening to finish the job
if Hamas does not agree, as reported by The Guardian.
According to Fox News, Trump said, Hamas is either going to be doing it or not. And if it's not, it's going to be a very sad end.
The Times of Israel quoted Trump saying that Hamas has “three or four days” to respond to the Gaza plan or “pay in hell”.
International Reactions
While the proposal has been met with cautious optimism by Arab, Islamic, and European leaders, Palestinians have expressed skepticism. Leaders from Arab and Muslim nations, and Europe, have welcomed the peace plan, according to Deutsche Welle.
However, The Guardian reports that some in the territory dismissed it as “unrealistic”. The Qatari PM, as cited by The Times of Israel, indicated that the plan still needs 'clarification and discussion'.
Current Status
Hamas officials have yet to respond officially to the peace proposal. However, Middle East Eye reports that Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi has said that the group has yet to receive Trump’s written Gaza peace plan.
In an alarming development, Middle East Eye also shared that Israel has issued a final warning for residents of Gaza City to leave or be deemed 'terrorists'. Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement, Those who remain... will be considered terrorists and terrorist supporters.
The situation remains tense as the world waits for Hamas' response to the peace plan and the subsequent implications for the Gaza strip.