Rising stakes as the deadline looms
In a bid to force a response to a new Gaza peace plan, U.S. President Donald Trump set a Sunday deadline for Hamas to accept the proposal, warning that failure to do so could unleash severe consequences. The 18:00 Washington time deadline (22:00 GMT) appears aimed at testing the group’s willingness to commit to a ceasefire framework carried by regional mediators. Trump disclosed the deadline on his Truth Social platform, framing it as a last-chance moment for a negotiated settlement after months of stalled talks and rising casualties in Gaza.
What the Gaza peace plan promises
According to the plan, fighting would pause immediately, with a ceasefire conditional on the release within 72 hours of 20 living Israeli hostages held by Hamas, as well as the remains of individuals thought to be dead. In exchange, hundreds of Gazans would be released from detention. The proposal is being shepherded by Arab and Turkish mediators who hope to bridge gaps between Hamas and states backing the truce framework. The plan is controversial and faces staunch opposition within Hamas, even as some of Hamas’s Qatar-based political leadership reportedly sees room for adjustments.
Hamas positions and internal divisions
Observers describe a split within Hamas about the plan. While leaders in Qatar are believed to be open to accepting the proposal with modifications, the leadership’s deteriorating control over hostages complicates consensus. A senior Hamas figure signaled that the group is inclined to reject the plan as presented. The BBC reports that the head of Hamas’s military wing in Gaza has not endorsed the new ceasefire offer, underscoring the delicate balance between political leadership and armed factions within the movement.
Why the hostages matter
Hostage leverage is central to the plan’s structure. Hamas’s bargaining position rests on strategic hostage displays, and the requirement to hand over all hostages within the first 72 hours challenges the group’s negotiating posture. The current tally is believed to be 48 hostages in Gaza, with about 20 alive. Critics say the plan may risk undermining Hamas’s leverage if it concedes its most powerful bargaining chip too quickly.
Mediators, diplomacy, and the regional equation
Mediators—working with regional powers in the Middle East and beyond—have been pressing Hamas to engage constructively. Their aim is a durable pause in hostilities and a path to a broader political process that could reduce civilian casualties and restore some stability to the region. The dynamic remains fluid: while some Hamas factions appear reticent, others hope for concessions that could unlock aid, reconstruction, and a better humanitarian corridor for Gaza’s residents.
Context and potential consequences
The latest push unfolds against a grim toll from the ongoing conflict. Since the Israeli campaign in Gaza intensified after Hamas’s October 7 attack on southern Israel, casualties have climbed steeply. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports tens of thousands of fatalities, with civilians bearing the brunt of the fighting. Israel argues that a robust security response remains essential to prevent further attacks. The spazio for negotiation is narrow, and a rejection by Hamas would likely escalate regional tensions, while a successful agreement could set a precedent for future truces and humanitarian corridors.
What comes next
As the clock ticks toward Sunday’s deadline, the international community will be watching closely for any signs of movement from Hamas and the mediators. If the accord is accepted, the focus will shift to the mechanics of a phased ceasefire, hostage releases, and verification. If not, observers expect a renewed round of diplomatic pressure and possible escalation on the ground. The promise of “peace in the Middle East” remains elusive, but proponents of the plan argue that even a limited breakthrough could offer a much-needed window for humanitarian relief and political dialogue.
