The Deadline in Focus: What Trump Wants from Hamas
The clock is ticking on a high-stakes diplomatic gambit. President Donald Trump has pressed Hamas to accept a U.S.-brokered peace plan, setting a concrete deadline of 18:00 on Sunday, U.S. time. In remarks shared on Truth Social, Trump described the offer as a “last chance” and warned that if Hamas does not comply, a severe backlash—”an hell, like nothing anyone has seen before”—could erupt against the group. He asserted that peace in the Middle East will come, one way or another, underscoring the intensity of the moment as the deadline nears. The timing translates to midnight Monday in Sweden, a reminder of how geopolitics now plays out across time zones.
The Peace Plan at the Center of the Fight
The plan reportedly comprises 20 points and is said to have been crafted in consultation with several influential Arab and Muslim states. The core elements include an immediate cessation of the fighting, the release of hostages held by Hamas, independent and transparent distribution of humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilians, and a staged withdrawal of Israeli forces in tandem with the disarmament of Hamas. A key feature emphasized by supporters of the plan is international guarantees ensuring a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a durable humanitarian channel for those in need.
What Has Been Negotiated
According to sources familiar with the process, the published version of the plan that followed Trump’s discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu included several wording adjustments. The aim appears to be a package that could be accepted by Hamas and its leadership while still being palatable to regional mediators and Western backers. Axios and The Times of Israel have reported that the final proposals reflect a conscious attempt to balance security concerns with humanitarian imperatives.
Hamas’s Position: A Call for Caution and Clarification
On Friday, Mohammad Nazzal, a member of Hamas’s policymaking leadership, told AFP that talks were ongoing and that mediators had been informed Hamas needed more time to deliberate. Nazzal stressed that while the group supports reaching an understanding, there are still several details that require discussion. Specifically, Hamas is seeking clarity on amnesty for members and how a future de‑weaponization process would unfold, while underlining the need for guarantees of an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Risk and Reward: Analyzing Potential Outcomes
The stakes are unusually high. Supporters of the plan argue that a formal acceptance could unlock a pathway to end the current war, enable hostage releases, and establish a credible mechanism for aid delivery. They also point to a possible, supervised disarmament and a staged redeployment of security responsibilities that would reduce civilian casualties and restore a sense of stability to the region.
Opponents, however, warn that Hamas’s acceptance is contingent on guarantees and amnesty provisions that may be hard to secure, given domestic pressures and divergent regional interests. If Hamas rejects the plan or negotiates only partial compliance, Trump has signaled a readiness to escalate pressure, raising the prospect of renewed hostilities or sharper diplomatic isolation for Hamas and its allies.
International Reactions and the Path Forward
The international community—ranging from Washington and Jerusalem to regional capitals and global mediators—has closely watched the talks. The plan’s backers emphasize humanitarian relief, a clear timeline for Israeli redeployment, and a verifiable disarmament framework as non-negotiable pillars. Critics caution that guarantees will be essential for any durable ceasefire, given past experiences where promises were not fully realized.
What Comes Next
If Hamas approves the plan by Sunday’s deadline, diplomats could accelerate a transition toward a formal truce, with monitoring mechanisms to oversee hostages, aid distribution, and security arrangements. If the deadline passes without a breakthrough, expect heightened tensions, renewed military activity, and intensified political jockeying among regional and international actors seeking a different path to peace.
Bottom Line
Trump’s Sunday deadline crystallizes a moment of potential shift in the Gaza-Israel dynamic. Whether Hamas accepts, negotiates, or rejects the 20-point peace plan, the coming days will likely redefine the prospects for ceasefire, humanitarian relief, and the long-sought resolution of one of the world’s most enduring conflicts.
