Trump gives Hamas ultimatum on Gaza deal

 

On September 30, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump gave Hamas an ultimatum of "three or four days" to accept a U.S.-backed peace plan for Gaza. Issued during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the ultimatum was coupled with a warning that rejecting the deal would lead to "a very sad end"

The plan calls for a ceasefire, release of hostages by Hamas within 72 hours, disarmament of Hamas and gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, followed by a post-war transitional authority headed by Trump himself.

World powers, including Arab and Muslim nations, welcomed the proposal, but Hamas had yet to issue its response.

“We’re going to do about three or four days,” Trump told reporters when asked about any timeframe.

“We’re just waiting for Hamas, and Hamas is either going to be doing it or not. And if it’s not, it’s going to be a very sad end.”

Trump announced the deal at the White House on Monday after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

On Tuesday, a Palestinian source said on condition of anonymity that Hamas had begun consultations on the plan “within its political and military leaderships, both inside Palestine and abroad”.

“The discussions could take several days due to the complexities,” the source said.

Qatar, which hosts Hamas’s exiled leadership, said the group had promised to study the proposal “responsibly”, and also said it would hold a meeting with Hamas and Turkey later on Tuesday.

“It is still too early to speak about responses, but we are truly optimistic that this plan, as we said, is a comprehensive one,” foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said.

The deal demands that Hamas militants fully disarm and be excluded from future roles in the government, but those who agreed to “peaceful co-existence” would be given amnesty.

It would also see a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, after nearly two years of war sparked by Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

But in a video statement posted after the joint press conference with Trump, Netanyahu said the military would stay in most of Gaza, and also that he did not agree to a Palestinian state during his talks in Washington.

“We will recover all our hostages, alive and well, while the (Israeli military) will remain in most of the Gaza Strip,” he said.

Still, Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a member of Netanyahu’s coalition government, blasted the plan as a “resounding diplomatic failure”.

“In my estimation, it will also end in tears. Our children will be forced to fight in Gaza again,” he said.

Key components of the proposal

Hamas disarmament: The plan requires Hamas to lay down its arms and give up its control of Gaza. The group has previously stated it will not surrender.

Hostage and prisoner exchange: Within 72 hours of Israel accepting the deal, Hamas must release all remaining hostages. In return, Israel would release a number of Palestinian prisoners.

Transitional governance: The plan calls for a transitional government run by a "technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee" and supervised by a "Board of Peace" headed by Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Amnesty for some Hamas members: Fighters who agree to "peaceful coexistence" and disarm would be given amnesty, while those who want to leave Gaza would be granted safe passage.

International force: A temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) would be deployed to train Palestinian police and help secure border areas.

Humanitarian aid: Aid deliveries would be scaled up immediately to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

No immediate Palestinian statehood: While the plan mentions a possible pathway to Palestinian self-determination in the future, it does not promise a clear timeline for statehood.

Reactions to the ultimatum

Israel: Prime Minister Netanyahu endorsed the 20-point plan, stating it would achieve Israel's war aims.

Hamas: As of October 1, 2025, Hamas is reviewing the plan with mediators from Qatar and Egypt and has not yet given its official response.

Palestinian Authority: Fatah, the ruling party of the Palestinian Authority, said it would cooperate on a ceasefire but condemned the US proposal as a "document of surrender".

Arab and Muslim states: Some nations in the region, including Qatar and Egypt, welcomed Trump's efforts to end the war.

International observers: The United Nations Secretary-General called on all parties to commit to the deal. However, some analysts and international figures expressed skepticism about the plan's feasibility and lack of specific details.