Hamas has announced its acceptance of certain aspects of U.S. President Donald Trump‘s peace plan aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. This comes after Trump issued an ultimatum requiring Hamas to agree to the deal by Sunday evening, warning of severe military repercussions if the agreement is not reached. The plan includes provisions for Hamas to relinquish power and release all remaining hostages but also indicates that further discussions among Palestinians are necessary regarding other elements.
Trump’s ultimatum was delivered on social media, where he stated, “An Agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, D.C. time.” He emphasized that all nations involved have endorsed the plan, asserting that failure to reach an agreement would lead to significant military action against Hamas. The urgency of the ultimatum is heightened by the approaching second anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel.
The peace plan, which Trump presented in conjunction with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for Hamas to immediately release the remaining 48 hostages, approximately 20 of whom are believed to be alive. In exchange, Israel would cease its military operations, withdraw from large areas of Gaza, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and facilitate humanitarian aid and reconstruction. Notably, plans to relocate much of Gaza’s population to other countries would be abandoned, and the territory would come under international governance, with oversight from Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Despite Hamas’s partial acceptance, a spokesperson indicated that some proposals within the plan are deemed unacceptable and require amendments. Many Palestinians have expressed a desire for an end to the conflict but remain skeptical of U.S. initiatives, viewing them as heavily favoring Israeli interests.
Israel has intensified pressure on Hamas since the cessation of a previous ceasefire in March. The country sealed off Gaza from essential supplies, including food and medicine, for over two months. Reports indicate that Gaza City is facing a humanitarian crisis, with many residents unable to evacuate. According to Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the United Nations humanitarian office, she encountered displaced families in the parking lot of Shifa Hospital, highlighting the dire situation faced by vulnerable populations in the region.
In his social media statements, Trump suggested that most of Hamas’s fighters are surrounded and “militarily trapped,” indicating a readiness to escalate military action if necessary. While many of Hamas’s leaders and fighters have been killed in the ongoing conflict, the group continues to exert influence in areas not fully controlled by Israeli forces.
The conflict, reignited on October 7, 2023, led to a brutal attack by Hamas that resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities, mostly among civilians. In retaliation, Israel’s military operations have reportedly killed over 66,000 Palestinians, as per figures from Gaza’s Health Ministry, which emphasizes that women and children constitute about half of the casualties. The ministry’s data, while associated with the Hamas-led government, is viewed by many independent experts as a credible estimate of wartime deaths.
As both the Biden and Trump administrations have sought to mediate a resolution, the urgency to return hostages and end hostilities remains paramount. The situation in Gaza is increasingly critical, with around 90% of the population displaced multiple times, leaving much of the region uninhabitable.
The international community continues to monitor the developments closely as the deadline set by Trump approaches.
