Trump lays out a ceasefire plan with near-term deadline for Hamas to respond
President Donald Trump on Tuesday unveiled a comprehensive ceasefire plan aimed at ending the near two-year war between Hamas and Israel. He said he would give Hamas a window of roughly three to four days to respond to the proposal, which has drawn support from Israel and eight Arab and Muslim nations, including Qatar, according to U.S. and allied officials.
Speaking after a White House meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Trump asserted that the plan represents a path to end the fighting and secure the release of hostages. He emphasized that all the Arab and Muslim states had signed on, along with Israel, and that the next move was up to Hamas. “Hamas must accept, or there will be a very grim outcome,” he warned on the White House lawn, signaling a stark ultimatum as the war enters a critical phase.
Qatar, a longtime hub for Hamas leadership, signaled a cautious but hopeful stance. A spokesperson for the Qatari foreign ministry, Majed al-Ansari, told reporters that Hamas would study the plan responsibly and that the proposal is, in his words, a “comprehensive plan.” Qatar’s support for the package—announced on Monday—adds a regional layer to the U.S.-driven initiative.
Netanyahu’s reception of the plan in Washington was largely supportive. In a subsequent video posted after their talks, Netanyahu called Trump’s White House visit “very outstanding” and reiterated his preference for the plan’s framework. He also stressed that, should Hamas reject the plan, Washington would fully back Israel’s military efforts to dismantle the group. Netanyahu reaffirmed his staunch opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state, warning that such an outcome would reward terrorism and claiming American understanding of Israel’s security concerns.
What the plan requires from Hamas and what follows next
At the heart of the proposal is a hostage-release and disarmament sequence paired with a broader stabilizing effort. The plan stipulates that Hamas would, within 72 hours of accepting the agreement, release all 48 remaining hostages. In return, Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners and pull its forces back from Gaza to a border area agreed by both sides.
Following that exchange, an international stabilization force, composed of Arab and Muslim nations, would quickly assume responsibility for disarming Hamas. Israel would adjust its troop deployments in Gaza in step with the disarmament process, while maintaining security control along the Gaza-Israel border and the narrow Gaza-Egypt corridor as a buffer zone.
Importantly, the plan states that no Palestinian will be forced to leave Gaza; those who wish to depart may do so freely, and those who stay can return at will. It also envisions a longer arc for Gaza’s reconstruction, conditional on credible reform and governance improvements within the Palestinian Authority, potentially paving a path toward Palestinian self-determination and nation-building in the future.
Regional reactions and the implications for Gaza
For Trump’s plan to gain traction, regional backing is crucial. The eight Arab and Muslim states cited—along with Israel—present a united front that could facilitate hostage negotiations and post-conflict stabilization. Doha’s stance, echoed by Al-Ansari, frames the plan as something that Hamas should evaluate seriously and responsibly, given its potential to redefine the security and humanitarian situation in Gaza.
What happens next hinges on Hamas’s response. If the group accepts, the clock starts on a rapid sequence of releases and disengagement, followed by an international stabilization mission and phased Israeli withdrawal as security conditions permit. If Hamas refuses, the U.S. and its allies have signaled continued, intensified pressure on the group, with a renewed emphasis on military options in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv’s defense networks.
On the ground: Israeli military posture and messaging
In parallel to diplomatic maneuvers, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have underscored a relentless campaign against Hamas. On Tuesday, the IDF released images showing General-Major Eyal Zamir inspecting Gaza-area troops, signaling ongoing operations aimed at degrading Hamas’s capabilities. Officials also reported the destruction of several armed threat units in the past 24 hours as part of a broader effort to advance military objectives.
IDF messaging has framed the conflict as one in which professional leadership and agility in the field are essential. Zamir’s remarks, relayed by the army, emphasized the need for continued excellence and flexibility for political leadership to make strategic decisions as the war evolves.
Looking ahead
As reconstruction talks loom and reform plans for the Palestinian Authority are articulated and implemented, the plan promoted by Trump could shape the next phase of the conflict and the broader pursuit of regional stability. The coming days will reveal whether Hamas chooses to engage seriously with the plan or whether talks stall, leaving the region to grapple with renewed military and humanitarian pressures.
