Trump’s Sunday deadline and the Gaza peace plan at a glance
US President Donald Trump on Friday posted a stark warning on his Truth Social platform that Hamas must accept a US-led peace plan for Gaza by 18:00 Washington time (22:00 GMT) on Sunday, or face “all hell”. The proposal envisions an immediate end to fighting and a coordinated hostage-release schedule, with a large-scale detainee exchange as the price of a ceasefire.
The plan would be implemented through Arab and Turkish mediators who have been pressing Hamas to respond positively. A senior Hamas figure, however, signaled skepticism that the armed group would accept the proposal in its current form, underscoring the deep divisions within the organization about how to proceed.
What the plan would require
According to the outline, hostilities would cease immediately. Within 72 hours, 20 living Israeli hostages believed to be in Hamas custody would be released, along with remains of others thought dead. In exchange, hundreds of Gazans detained by Israel would be freed, a move negotiators say could unlock broader humanitarian access.
The plan hinges on Hamas surrendering most of its leverage early in the process, a point many observers say complicates acceptance by a group that has used hostages as its main bargaining chip. Mediators have also noted that some Hamas political figures in Qatar are open to adjustments, but their influence is constrained by not directly controlling the hostages.
Mediators, Hamas responses, and internal divisions
A key hurdle is the suitability of a 72‑hour window for releasing hostages. The head of Hamas’s military wing in Gaza is understood to have indicated he does not support the plan in its present form. While some political leaders in Doha may favor it with tweaks, their limited authority over the hostage situation complicates any quick shift in stance.
The hostage problem and bargaining chips
One of the most contentious aspects is the demand that all hostages be handed over within the initial 72 hours. For Hamas, this could strip away the leverage it has relied on since the fighting began. Current estimates place the number of hostages still held at 48, with around 20 believed to be alive.
Context and potential consequences
The backdrop is the broader Israel-Gaza conflict that escalated after Hamas launched its attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which left about 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. Since then, Gaza’s health ministry—held by Hamas—has reported more than 66,000 deaths from Israeli strikes, underscoring the humanitarian stakes for civilians on both sides.
Regional reactions and what comes next
Arab and Turkish mediators have been working to bring Hamas to the table, while the United States has framed Sunday’s deadline as a crucial turning point. If Hamas accepts the plan, it could pave the way for a broader ceasefire and humanitarian relief corridors. If not, regional tensions could rise quickly, complicating any future diplomacy and potentially triggering renewed rounds of hostilities.
What happens next?
Analysts warn that even with a deadline, turning the proposal into a durable accord will require sustained regional diplomacy and robust guarantees for hostages and civilians. The coming days are likely to reveal whether Hamas is willing to concede ground or double down on its current stance, while mediators balance competing pressures from Washington, Doha, Ankara, and others.
