Trump Sets Deadline for Hamas to Accept Peace Proposal

President Donald Trump issued a decisive ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the militant group accept a proposed peace agreement for Gaza within “three or four days.” Failure to do so would result in severe consequences, with Trump asserting that Hamas would “pay in hell” if it rejected the comprehensive 20-point plan designed to resolve the ongoing conflict. This announcement comes as Trump seeks to solidify support for the initiative, which has already garnered backing from Israel and a positive reception from the Palestinian Authority.

The peace proposal has been positioned as a crucial step towards ending violence in Gaza, with numerous Arab and Muslim leaders expressing their support. Despite this, concerns have arisen regarding last-minute amendments introduced by Binyamin Netanyahu, which could impact the proposed timeline and implementation of the plan. Qatar, a key negotiator, has urged for a delay in the plan’s publication, but the White House opted to move forward as planned.

During a press conference, Trump emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating: “We’re going to do about three or four days; we’ll see how it is. All of the Arab countries are signed up, the Muslim countries are all signed up, Israel is all signed up, we’re just waiting for Hamas.” He added that there was “not much” room for negotiation on the terms outlined in the proposal.

The agreement stipulates significant demands, including the disarmament of Hamas, the release of hostages within 72 hours, and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Trump made it clear that the consequences of rejecting the plan could be dire, saying: “We have one signature that we need and that signature will pay in hell if they don’t sign. I hope they sign for their own good and create something really great,” he told military leaders at Quantico, Virginia.

Trump also reflected on the potential recognition he might receive for his role in the peace process, humorously dismissing the likelihood of a Nobel Peace Prize for himself, while expressing skepticism about who might actually receive the honor.

The plan includes provisions for establishing a transitional authority in Gaza, which would be led by Trump himself alongside former British Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair. This authority aims to oversee post-conflict governance until the Palestinian Authority has completed its reform agenda.

While the Palestinian Authority has expressed optimism about the plan, pledging to implement reforms that would lead to a modern and democratic state, discussions within Hamas regarding the proposal are ongoing. A source close to the organization indicated that consultations among Hamas’s political and military leaderships may take several days due to the complexities involved.

On the international front, Qatari officials are scheduled to engage in talks with both Hamas and Turkey to gauge their responses. Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar’s foreign ministry, expressed cautious optimism, stating, “It is still too early to speak about responses but we are truly optimistic that this plan is a comprehensive one.”

As the situation unfolds, the pressure mounts on Hamas to respond swiftly to the proposed agreement, with Trump warning of serious repercussions should they choose to reject it. “Hamas is either going to be doing it or not, and if it’s not, it’s going to be a very sad end,” he concluded.