UPDATE: President Donald Trump has just announced an urgent deadline for Hamas to accept a proposed peace plan for Gaza, warning of severe repercussions if the group fails to comply. In a social media post on Friday, Trump stated, “An Agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, DC time.” He emphasized that all nations have endorsed this plan, declaring, “If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas.”
This ultimatum follows Trump’s unveiling of a 20-point plan earlier this week, created in collaboration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aiming to end the ongoing conflict that has persisted for two years. The proposed agreement includes significant stipulations: the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas, the requirement that Hamas relinquishes any future role in Gaza, and Israel’s commitment to release nearly 2,000 prisoners while not occupying or annexing Gaza.
As of now, Hamas has not agreed to the terms, despite pressure from leaders of various Arab and Muslim states urging the group to accept the proposal. Many emphasize that ending the violence, which has devastated Gaza and created a dire humanitarian crisis, should take precedence over the plan’s intricate details.
Earlier this week, Trump indicated that Hamas had “about three or four days” to respond. If they reject the plan, Israel has signaled its intention to intensify military actions, particularly in Gaza City, aiming for full control of the northern region.
In an attempt to evaluate the proposal, Hamas’ political leaders held discussions with officials from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. They are reportedly reviewing the plan carefully and are expected to prepare a response after consulting with various Palestinian factions.
With the clock ticking, all eyes are on Hamas to see if they will agree to this critical plan by the Sunday deadline. The world watches as the situation unfolds, with implications that could reshape the region’s future drastically. The stakes are exceptionally high, and the humanitarian impact continues to grow as the deadline approaches.
Stay tuned for further developments as this urgent situation evolves.
