Deadline looming and what it means
President Donald Trump has placed a high-stakes deadline on a new push for Middle East peace. The clock ticks down to Sunday at 18:00 Eastern Time, a time frame the White House says is binding for Hamas to accept its latest peace framework. In a Truth Social post, Trump framed the moment as a “last chance” for the faction to back a 20-point plan designed to halt the Gaza war, unlock humanitarian aid, and set the stage for broader regional diplomacy. He warned that if Hamas rejects the proposal, a form of war-fighting pressure he described as “hell” could be unleashed against the group. The president even asserted in capital letters that “peace in the Middle East will come, in one way or another.”
Hamas response: more time needed
Hamas has signaled that it needs more deliberation. On Friday morning, an official told AFP that negotiators are still studying the plan and have told mediators they require additional time. Mohammad Nazzal, a member of Hamas’s ruling politburo, said the framework contains several points that require discussion, but stressed the movement’s genuine effort to reach a consensus. Key concerns include how any amnesty for members would be structured, how disarmament would be verified, and the nature of international guarantees that would accompany an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The 20-point plan: what it promises
The framework, which has surfaced in summaries shared by U.S. officials and media briefings, calls for an immediate end to hostilities, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and independent distribution of humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilians. It envisions a staged Israeli pullback from the enclave and the disarmament of Hamas under international supervision, with robust guarantees to monitor compliance. The proposal’s core aim is to turn a moment of acute crisis into a verifiable pathway toward longer-term peace in the region.
News outlets such as Axios and the Times of Israel reported that the final version of the plan was revised after consultations with several influential Arab and Muslim states. The edits, they say, address the pace of disengagement, the specifics of the ceasefire, and enforcement mechanisms on the ground, while preserving the essential elements of a ceasefire, hostage release, and a monitored disarmament process.
Why the plan matters now: potential implications
Analysts caution that the plan’s success hinges on Hamas’s acceptance and the credibility of international guarantees. U.S. officials argue that a swift endorsement by Hamas could prevent renewed bloodshed and unlock vital relief for civilians in Gaza. Critics contend that without robust, verifiable safeguards, any ceasefire may be fragile, risking violations and renewed flare-ups that could escalate regional tensions.
What happens next
With the Sunday deadline looming, both sides face intense pressure to act quickly. If Hamas agrees, mediators would translate broad terms into a detailed, monitorable agreement and initiate enforcement mechanisms. If not, Washington says it is prepared to pursue other options, including intensified diplomacy and, if necessary, decisive measures. The coming days will be decisive for whether the path to peace remains viable or whether the cycle of conflict resumes.
Conclusion
The Trump administration’s 20-point peace plan has created a pivotal moment for Hamas and the broader Middle East arena. The Sunday deadline crystallizes the choice before both sides: accept a framework that promises relief and progress toward negotiation, or risk renewed confrontation. As mediators and regional powers weigh their next steps, global attention will stay focused on whether diplomacy or aggression will ultimately prevail.
