U.S. President Donald Trump has given Hamas three to four days to accept his 20-point Gaza peace proposal, warning of “severe consequences” if the group rejects the terms.
Announced on Sunday, the plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages within 72 hours, disarmament of Hamas, and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. It also outlines a post-war transitional authority with Trump himself in a central oversight role.
“All of the Arab countries are signed up. The Muslim countries are signed up. Israel is signed up. We’re just waiting for Hamas,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday. “If it’s not accepted, it’s going to be a very sad end.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, appearing alongside Trump, endorsed the proposal but warned that Israel would continue the war if Hamas refused or undermined the agreement.
“If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr. President, or if they accept it and then counter it in practice, Israel will finish the job by itself,” Netanyahu said.
Hamas leaders have begun consultations on the proposal with their political and military wings inside Gaza and abroad. A Palestinian official told AFP that discussions “could take several days due to the complexities.”
The conflict, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack that killed 1,219 people in Israel, has left much of Gaza in ruins. According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 66,055 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its offensive.
Trump described the unveiling of his plan as “a beautiful day — potentially one of the greatest days ever in civilisation.”
The coming days are expected to be decisive as Hamas weighs whether to accept or reject the proposal, with regional powers including Egypt and Qatar urging the group to engage.
(With inputs from IBNS)
