Overview: a high-stakes deadline in Gaza diplomacy
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a firm deadline to Hamas to accept a U.S.-backed peace plan for Gaza, saying an agreement must be reached by 18:00 Washington time (22:00 GMT) on Sunday. He framed the ultimatum as a last chance to avert a broader confrontation, writing on his Truth Social platform that “If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas.”
The plan envisions an immediate halt to hostilities and a 72-hour window for the release of 20 living Israeli hostages held by Hamas—along with the remains of hostages thought to be dead—in exchange for hundreds of Gazans held by Israel and allied authorities. The package reflects a mix of hostage release timing and large-scale detainee swaps that have long been central to diplomacy in the Israel-Gaza conflict.
What the plan proposes
Key elements, as described by mediators and involved parties, include an end to fighting at once, followed by the staged release of hostages within the first three days. In return, Hamas would be asked to release the captives it holds and to participate in a broader ceasefire framework that incentivizes the release process while addressing what the accord would call for in Gaza. Arab and Turkish mediators have been pressing Hamas to respond positively, even as its internal factions debate concessions and conditions.
Responses from Hamas and its backers
A senior Hamas figure signaled that the armed wing is inclined to reject the plan in its current form, according to sources cited by media outlets and informed observers. BBC reporting notes that while some of Hamas’s political leadership based in Qatar may be open to accepting the plan with adjustments, their leverage is constrained by not controlling all of the hostages. For the plan to succeed, those holding the hostages would need to accept terms that Hamas might deem insufficient or that could threaten its bargaining position.
The plan’s demand that all hostages be handed over within the first 72 hours has been described as a critical bargaining chip by some analysts, potentially complicating Hamas’s willingness to engage. The group’s current hostages, the numbers of which have fluctuated with ongoing assessments, are at once a humanitarian concern and a political tool in any exchange deal.
Mediators and regional dynamics
In addition to U.S. involvement, regional mediators—principally from Arab states and Turkey—are counseling Hamas to accept a framework that could pave the way to broader peace talks. The challenge is not only the immediate hostage issue but also how any ceasefire would be implemented on the ground, what mechanisms would enforce truce violations, and how aid and reconstruction would reach Gaza without becoming hostage to ongoing political disputes.
There is recognition among mediators that the Gaza crisis has spanned years and involved multiple escalations since the 7 October attack by Hamas on southern Israel, which left about 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. In Gaza, the response by Israeli forces has exacted a heavy civilian toll, with the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reporting substantial casualties in the subsequent Israeli campaign. The human costs of renewed conflict would ripple across the region and beyond, intensifying calls from many states for a durable, verifiable ceasefire and a humanitarian corridor.
Why the deadline matters—and what could come next
Supporters of the plan argue that a time-bound framework with a concrete hostage release schedule could unlock broader political talks, potentially stabilizing a volatile region. Critics warn that a deadline without credible enforcement or a solid contingency plan could simply raise tensions and risk a new round of confrontations if Hamas rejects terms it views as unacceptable or insufficient to its political aims.
With mediators actively engaging Hamas leaders in Qatar and elsewhere, and with competing narratives shaping public expectations, the coming hours are likely to determine whether a fragile window for de-escalation remains open. Washington’s insistence on a defined deadline is mirrored by calls from international humanitarian actors urging restraint and a sustained push for aid access to Gaza’s civilian population.
Conclusion: a fragile moment in a long-running conflict
The Sunday deadline casts a spotlight on whether diplomacy can bridge deep divisions over security, hostages, and the future of Gaza. While Trump’s statement injects urgency, the path to a durable resolution will depend on concessions from all sides, trust-building between mediators and Hamas, and the establishment of verifiable mechanisms to ensure compliance and humanitarian relief. Until then, the region remains on edge, with the potential for escalation tempered only by the ongoing diplomatic effort.
