WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM — US President Donald Trump issued a stern ultimatum to Hamas on Friday, saying the Gaza peace plan must be accepted by 6 p.m. Sunday, Washington, D.C. time. Failure to do so would result in a “catastrophe like never before.” Trump posted this message on the social media platform Truth Social and reiterated his warning to reporters.
Earlier this week, Trump jointly announced a 20-point peace plan with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which includes conditions such as a ceasefire, the release of hostages within 72 hours, Hamas’s disarmament, and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. The plan is said to aim to ensure lasting peace in the region after nearly two years of conflict, but Hamas has yet to formally accept it.
Trump said that “every country has signed on,” and this is the last chance. He told reporters that Hamas has been given “three or four days” to respond. He also warned of tough action against Hamas positions and leaders: “Most of them are surrounded and militarily trapped—if I simply say ‘go,’ their lives will end quickly. As for the rest, we know where and who you are, and you will be found and killed.”
Hamas said on Tuesday that it would study the proposal—no formal yes or no has yet been made public. The key conditions of the peace agreement include a ceasefire and the initial release of hostages, while Hamas also emphasizes the need for a surrender of weapons and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Analysts believe that regional tensions could escalate if Hamas does not support it, while supporters say the agreement will depend on foreign monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. The US ultimatum and threats have created new uncertainty about the prospects for peace in the Middle East.
(Information used in this reporting is based on public presidential statements and diplomatic announcements.)
Leave a Reply