Clock's Ticking
Trump Gives Hamas 3 Days to Accept Gaza Deal
The terror organization is reportedly leaning towards accepting the US-backed proposal, but not without demanding clarifications as the clock ticks on the ultimatum from President Trump.
A significant development in the ongoing efforts to end the war in Gaza emerged with a report by CBS, citing a source close to the negotiations, suggesting that Hamas is inclined to accept the peace plan proposed by President Donald Trump. The group is reportedly expected to deliver its response to the mediators as early as tomorrow.
This report arrives as President Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to the organization, granting them only "three or four days" to respond to his proposed framework. Trump asserted, "If it rejects it, Israel will do what it has to do," and added, "If Hamas says no, it will be a very sad ending."
The proposed deal, according to Trump, is part of a larger initiative designed to bring comprehensive peace to the Middle East, with Gaza being only one component. He emphasized that what is required from Hamas is simple: "We want the hostages released and good behaviour from Hamas. It’s that simple, no more than that." The American leader also threatened, "If Hamas refuses, I will give them [Israel] what they need to do, and it will be simple and easy." He claimed that "all the Arab nations are in, the Muslim countries are in, Israel is in. Just waiting for Hamas."
However, the path to acceptance is fraught with skepticism. An unnamed source close to Hamas told Reuters that the plan is "completely biased" toward Israel and imposes "impossible conditions" aimed at destroying the group. This source criticized the proposal for having "completely adopted" Israel’s position and failing to grant the Palestinian people or Gaza residents their legitimate rights.
Another Palestinian source, speaking to Sky News Arabia, indicated that while Hamas is reviewing the plan, it holds strong reservations. This source noted that some senior Hamas officials view the proposal as a "declaration of defeat," and the group has sought assurances from Qatari mediators, particularly regarding a guarantee against the renewal of hostilities. The group has also demanded a timetable for the withdrawal of the Israeli military from Gaza and guarantees that its leaders outside the Palestinian territories will not be targeted in the future.
The plan contains several sticking points that Hamas is expected to resist, including the complete disarmament and dismantling of military infrastructure, the exclusion of Hamas and other factions from any transitional government, the immediate deployment of an international stabilization force (ISF) in Gaza, and the release of all hostages within 72 hours of the plan's implementation. The demand for the immediate release of all captives is particularly challenging for Hamas, as it would relinquish its most powerful negotiating leverage.
On the diplomatic front, Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, confirmed that a meeting would take place today, with the notable addition of Turkey to the mediating team. Al-Ansari stated that a Hamas delegation had met with Qatari and Egyptian officials, including the Egyptian intelligence chief, and received the plan. He expressed optimism about the plan's contents and confirmed that the mediating nations would continue to engage with the Hamas delegation. Al-Ansari also confirmed a phone call between Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Qatar’s Prime Minister, following an apology from Netanyahu for a strike on a populated neighborhood in Doha. The Qatari Prime Minister reportedly received assurances from Trump that the strike would not be repeated, allowing Qatar to continue its mediation efforts.
Reports have indicated that Qatar is exerting significant pressure on Hamas to accept the plan, and even the Fatah movement has urged the group to approve it to spare the residents of the Strip further devastation. Senior Hamas official Taher al-Nunu affirmed to Al-Arabiya that the group is not interested in continuing the war and is prepared to examine any proposal that aligns with Palestinian interests, though he noted that the group's stance would only be declared once it has been officially updated on the plan's details.