In a tense escalation of the ongoing Gaza crisis, US President Donald Trump has issued a stark Sunday deadline for Hamas to accept his proposed 20-point peace plan, warning of dire consequences if rejected. The announcement, coming just hours ago, underscores the fragile momentum in negotiations that have dragged on for nearly two years. Al Jazeera reports that Hamas leaders are deep in internal deliberations, signaling they won't sign off without significant revisions to the deal.
The plan, which Trump discussed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, envisions a redeveloped Gaza under tight security measures, including Hamas's disarmament and exclusion from future governance. Israel has already signaled its approval, with Netanyahu affirming US backing while maintaining military presence in much of the territory. Yet, Palestinian officials and analysts decry it as a non-starter, arguing it sidesteps core issues like sovereignty and a viable state. Indeed, the proposal's emphasis on reconstruction—potentially involving international funding—comes as Gaza reels from relentless Israeli strikes that have claimed thousands of lives since the war's outset.
However, pressure is mounting on Hamas from mediators like Qatar and Egypt. Sources indicate the group is open to releasing remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but the disarmament clause remains a major sticking point. Moreover, however one views it, Trump's rhetoric has sharpened, threatening "all hell" if the deadline passes without agreement. This follows his earlier three-to-four-day window, now compressed to today as Sunday looms.
Meanwhile, on the ground, Israeli forces reported killing dozens in Gaza raids overnight, even as diplomatic talks intensify. Hamas's response, expected imminently, could either breathe new life into the process or plunge the region deeper into conflict. The Qatari prime minister recently expressed hope for progress, stressing protection for Gaza's civilians amid the devastation.
Indeed, with stakes this high, the coming hours will test whether compromise is possible or if entrenched positions prevail once more. What does this mean for the path toward lasting stability in the Middle East?