US President Donald Trump Gives Sunday Time Limit for Hamas to Endorse Gazan Peace Plan
US President Donald Trump has set a ultimatum to the Hamas organization, requiring them to agree to a American ceasefire agreement for Gaza otherwise risk extreme repercussions.
In a statement on his Truth Social channel on Friday, Trump declared that an deal must be achieved by 6 PM EST (10 PM GMT) on Sunday.
This suggested proposal calls for an swift end to hostilities and the freeing within a short period of twenty living Israeli hostages held by Hamas—as well as the bodies of individuals thought to be dead—in return for many of arrested residents.
International mediators are understood to be urging the organization for a positive response to the offer, but a senior Hamas figure has stated that the militant faction is likely to decline it.
"If this LAST CHANCE deal is not secured, extreme consequences, as no one has previously seen, will break out against Hamas. WE WILL ENSURE STABILITY IN THE REGION BY ANY MEANS," the President wrote in the online update.
Intermediaries have made contact with the chief of Hamas's armed faction in the territory, who has indicated that he is opposed to the new American ceasefire proposal, according to information.
There is belief that certain members of the group's political leadership in the Gulf state are receptive to accepting the proposal with modifications—however have found their leverage limited as they are without authority over the captives detained by the faction.
Another stumbling block for some in the group is that the plan demands them to surrender each and every the hostages over the initial three-day period of the halt—surrendering their only bargaining chip.
Reports suggest to be 48 hostages still being detained in the Palestinian region by the armed faction, only 20 of whom are believed to be living.
The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in reaction to the Hamas-initiated assault on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were lost their lives and hundreds others were taken hostage.
At least 66,288 individuals have been killed in Israel's attacks in the territory following the start, according to the territory's Hamas-controlled health ministry.
