U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday issued a stark ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the militant group accept a U.S.-brokered peace proposal to end the Gaza war — or face devastating consequences. The president set a deadline of 6 p.m. on Sunday (Washington, D.C. time) for Hamas to agree to the plan, warning that failure to do so would trigger measures so severe he described as “all hell” breaking out on the group.
The deal, unveiled after Trump’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is laid out in a White House 20-point framework that calls for demilitarisation of Hamas, a staged Israeli withdrawal, and the swift exchange and release of hostages. One of the central provisions says all remaining hostages — living and deceased — would be returned within 72 hours of an agreement.
Trump used his Truth Social account to press the demand and to underscore the consequences if the deadline is missed.
“An Agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, D.C. time,” he wrote, adding that if the deal is rejected, “all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas. THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.”
The White House plan also pairs security steps with economic and reconstruction proposals intended to remake Gaza — and some reports say it envisions an international or transitional governing arrangement for Gaza after the war. The administration says key regional partners have signed on to aspects of the initiative.
Hamas has not immediately accepted the proposal. A senior Hamas official told AFP that the group needs more time to study the plan and is consulting mediators before responding. International outlets report that mediators, including Qatar and other regional actors, are involved in trying to secure a response.
As pressure mounted, Trump urged innocent Palestinians to evacuate potentially targeted areas and framed the offer as a “last chance” that could spare the lives of remaining Hamas fighters if they agree and disarm. The ultimatum has drawn widespread international attention and sparked immediate debate over whether the timeline and terms can produce a negotiated end to the two-year conflict.
