U.S. President Donald Trump has delivered a blunt ultimatum to Hamas, setting a strict deadline of 6:00 p.m. Washington time, equivalent to 22:00 GMT on Sunday, for the group to accept his proposed plan for Gaza’s future. Declaring it the last opportunity for Hamas to step back from confrontation, Trump warned in a Truth Social post that failure to comply would trigger consequences described in stark terms as “all hell, like no one has ever seen before.”
He asserted that the plan has already received backing from the international community, claiming that every country has endorsed the framework, and left no doubt that Hamas stands alone in resisting what he characterized as a universally supported solution.
The proposal, crafted as a 20-point document, lays out a multifaceted path designed to resolve some of the most entrenched elements of the Gaza conflict. At its core, it calls for an immediate ceasefire, a comprehensive exchange involving all Israeli hostages held by Hamas swapped for Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons, and a phased withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Gaza.
The plan also demands the disarmament of Hamas, a condition historically rejected by the group, and introduces the creation of a transitional governing authority to be administered under the supervision of international bodies. In Trump’s vision, the disarmament clause is non-negotiable, with the entire roadmap hinging on Hamas surrendering its arsenal and accepting a diminished military role in the region.
Earlier in the week, Trump had announced that Hamas would be given three to four days to consider the plan, and with the window now rapidly closing, speculation has intensified about the group’s response. Sources close to Hamas suggest that internal deliberations are ongoing, with both political and military wings weighing the implications of either compliance or rejection. Some political factions within Hamas are reportedly seeking to negotiate modifications to the framework, while military leaders remain far less inclined to accept terms that would strip them of power and control.
Despite this internal debate, Hamas has yet to issue a formal reply, instead signaling through intermediaries that it continues to review the proposal.
The urgency of the matter is underscored by the visible alignment between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who jointly presented the plan and underscored their shared position that Hamas has run out of alternatives. Netanyahu has emphasized that the proposal represents not only a chance for peace but also a demonstration of international consensus against terrorism.
Trump, increasingly impatient with what he views as Hamas’s stalling tactics, has accused the group of isolating itself further with every hour that passes, warning that fighters who refuse to comply will face total elimination. He has simultaneously urged civilians in Gaza to seek safety in designated areas, though specifics about where these so-called safe zones would be located remain unclear.
The plan’s broader implications stretch beyond Gaza itself, touching on themes of regional stability, humanitarian relief, and international diplomacy.
If accepted, the deal would usher in the immediate release of hostages, a rare moment of progress in a conflict defined by deadlock, and would pave the way for outside agencies to take a more active role in administering Gaza. It would also test the ability of regional powers such as Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey — all of which maintain channels of communication with Hamas — to exert influence and mediate a resolution. These nations are expected to play a critical role in shaping Hamas’s final decision, either by applying pressure or offering incentives to encourage compliance.
At the same time, the disarmament condition continues to stand as the most formidable barrier to progress. Hamas has long resisted such demands, viewing its weapons as a central pillar of resistance and leverage in negotiations. To abandon them would be to alter the power structure in Gaza fundamentally, leaving the group vulnerable and diminishing its influence. Trump and Netanyahu, however, have made clear that the disarmament requirement is not subject to revision, framing it as the linchpin of any durable settlement.
As the deadline approaches, uncertainty hangs heavily over the region. Acceptance of the plan would mark the beginning of a complex but potentially historic process of transition, overseen by international actors and designed to stabilize Gaza while reducing tensions with Israel.
Rejection, on the other hand, would set the stage for an escalation of violence, with Trump warning of military responses harsher than any seen before. For Hamas, the stakes could not be higher: compliance risks internal fractures and loss of military dominance, while defiance risks catastrophic consequences. For the civilians of Gaza, the hours ahead may decide whether they step into a fragile ceasefire or face a devastating new chapter of conflict.