Donald Trump has warned Hamas that it must accept his 20-point peace proposal for Gaza by late Sunday or face severe consequences.
The former U.S. president announced on Truth Social that the deadline is set for 2200 GMT on Sunday, equal to 1 a.m. Monday in Gaza. He threatened that if the deal is rejected, “unseen levels of hell” would be unleashed against the group.
The plan, which has the backing of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, includes a ceasefire, the release of hostages within 72 hours, Hamas giving up its weapons, and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops. A transitional authority led by Trump himself would be installed after the war.
Hamas leaders are still debating the proposal. Some officials believe an immediate ceasefire under Trump’s guarantees should be prioritized, while others insist on changes — especially regarding disarmament and international assurances that Israel will fully pull out and halt targeted killings.
The group remains split between leaders inside Gaza and those abroad, mainly in Qatar, while many of its senior figures have been killed during Israel’s offensive.
The ongoing war started with Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which killed more than 1,200 people. Israel’s response has since left over 66,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s health ministry, with more than half of the victims reported as women and children.
Trump had earlier allowed Hamas “three or four days” to decide. With the deadline now approaching, pressure is mounting on the group to either accept the deal or risk further escalation.
