Trump Issues Ultimatum to Hamas Over Gaza Ceasefire Plan Amid Rising Criticism
United States President Donald Trump has unveiled a controversial 20-point plan to end the Gaza conflict, warning Hamas that it has until Sunday evening to accept the proposal—or face what he described as “unprecedented consequences.”
The ultimatum comes as Israel’s devastating military campaign in Gaza continues, with tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians killed and a humanitarian crisis worsening by the day. Critics argue that Trump’s plan prioritizes Israeli security interests while offering little to address Palestinian sovereignty or statehood aspirations.
A Weekend Deadline
Trump issued the warning late Friday on his social media platform, Truth Social. In a lengthy post, he condemned Hamas as a “ruthless and violent threat” and declared that the militant group must accept his plan by 6pm U.S. Eastern time (22:00 GMT) on Sunday.
“If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, 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,” Trump wrote, in characteristic capital letters.
The 329-word statement reflects Trump’s signature mix of combative rhetoric and grand promises, designed to project strength as he seeks to position himself once again as a central figure in Middle East peace negotiations.
Plan Discussed With Arab Leaders
The plan had been discussed informally with Arab and Muslim leaders during meetings on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September. On Monday, Trump formally unveiled the full text during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fourth visit to the White House this year.
Trump framed the plan as an effort to restore stability in Gaza and transform it into what he called a “deradicalised terror-free zone”. However, the proposal quickly attracted criticism for failing to include any pathway to Palestinian statehood—a longstanding demand from Palestinian leaders and much of the international community.
What the Plan Includes
The 20-point plan outlines several measures intended to reshape the situation in Gaza:
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Redevelopment of Gaza: The territory would be restructured into a “deradicalised” zone with international oversight.
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Exclusion of Hamas from governance: Hamas would be barred from participating in Gaza’s political or administrative affairs, directly or indirectly.
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Hostage exchanges: Hamas would be required to release all Israeli captives, along with the remains of those who died in captivity. In return, Israel would release more than 1,170 Palestinian detainees, including 250 serving life sentences.
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Humanitarian aid access: Limited aid would be permitted into Gaza, where famine now threatens over half a million civilians, though critics argue this falls far short of what is needed.
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Creation of a “Board of Peace”: Trump proposed a transitional governing body led by himself, along with international figures such as former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. The board would temporarily oversee Gaza’s administration.
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International Stabilisation Force: A multinational security body would support Palestinian police and coordinate with Israeli and Egyptian border authorities.
While the plan provides some humanitarian concessions, its heavy emphasis on restricting Hamas and maintaining Israeli control has fueled scepticism.
Mounting Criticism
Critics across the Middle East and beyond argue that the plan tilts overwhelmingly in Israel’s favor while stripping Palestinians of meaningful political agency.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the published plan differed from the version first shown to Arab and Muslim leaders at the UN. “Changes were made to our draft. I have the record,” Dar told Dawn newspaper, accusing Washington of unilaterally reshaping the terms.
Others have raised concerns about the proposed “Board of Peace,” questioning who would participate, how long it would operate, and whether it might serve as a permanent replacement for Palestinian self-governance.
Human rights observers, meanwhile, continue to condemn Israel’s military campaign. An independent UN commission report released in September concluded that Israel’s actions in Gaza amounted to genocide, echoing findings from several watchdog groups. More than 66,000 Palestinians—many of them women and children—have been killed since the conflict reignited in October 2023.
Trump’s Harsh Warnings to Hamas
In his Friday post, Trump made clear that Hamas would pay dearly if it rejected his ultimatum.
“As retribution for the October 7th attack on civilization, more than 25,000 Hamas ‘soldiers’ have already been killed,” he wrote. “Most of the rest are surrounded and MILITARILY TRAPPED, just waiting for me to give the word, ‘GO,’ for their lives to be quickly extinguished.”
He went on to threaten that remaining Hamas fighters would be “hunted down and killed,” language that analysts warn could escalate tensions further.
Trump also issued an appeal—somewhat vague—for Palestinian civilians to move to “safer” areas of Gaza, without specifying where such safe zones might exist. “I am asking that all innocent Palestinians immediately leave this area of potentially great future death for safer parts of Gaza,” he wrote. “Everyone will be well cared for by those that are waiting to help.”
A Deepening Humanitarian Crisis
Conditions in Gaza remain dire. Israel’s blockade has severely restricted the flow of food, medicine, and fuel into the enclave, leaving half a million people facing famine and millions more struggling to access basic necessities.
International aid agencies have repeatedly called for unfettered access, warning that temporary humanitarian pauses are not enough to address the scale of suffering.
The Political Calculations
Trump’s decision to push such a bold ultimatum comes as he seeks to reclaim his role as a dealmaker on the global stage. His close ties with Israel, and particularly with Netanyahu, have long been a hallmark of his foreign policy.
But analysts note that the exclusion of Palestinian sovereignty from the plan is likely to make it unworkable in the long term, even if Hamas or other Palestinian factions were pressured into temporary compliance.
Critics also question the feasibility of Trump personally chairing a “Board of Peace” while also campaigning for the U.S. presidency—a dual role that could spark major conflicts of interest.
Looking Ahead
As of Thursday, Hamas said it was still considering the proposal and would issue a response “soon.” However, many observers doubt that the group will accept terms that effectively remove it from Gaza’s political life while offering no clear vision for Palestinian statehood.
The coming days will determine whether Trump’s ultimatum pushes the conflict toward negotiations or deeper violence. For now, the plan has reignited debate over the role of the U.S. in Middle East peace efforts—and whether Washington can act as a fair mediator given its deep and enduring alliance with Israel.