US President Donald Trump has given Hamas an ultimatum of “three or four days” to respond to his proposed peace and reconstruction plan for Gaza, warning the militant group would “pay in hell” if it refuses.
The plan, unveiled in Washington alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aims to end the two-year war that has devastated the enclave. It requires Hamas to disarm, release 48 remaining Israeli hostages, and relinquish any political role in Gaza. In exchange, Israel would gradually withdraw its forces to a buffer zone while a surge of humanitarian aid flows in. Gaza would then be run by a transitional technocratic authority headed by Trump himself, backed by an international security force.
“We have one signature that we need, and that signature will pay in hell if they don’t sign,” Trump told US military leaders in Virginia.
The proposal also demands Israel release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including some serving life terms. Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar have signaled support, with Doha confirming it will meet Hamas officials to push the deal. The Palestinian Authority welcomed Trump’s “determined efforts,” but Hamas allies including Islamic Jihad blasted the plan as “biased” and designed to eliminate the group.
Israeli media and politicians largely welcomed the plan, praising Netanyahu for securing last-minute concessions. Trump has pledged full backing for Israel if Hamas rejects the deal or violates its terms.
Humanitarian Toll Continues
Even as diplomacy unfolded, Israel intensified strikes across Gaza. Local hospitals reported 31 Palestinian deaths on Tuesday, including women and children killed in Nuseirat refugee camp and the crowded Muwasi coastal area. According to Gaza health authorities, more than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 160,000 wounded since the war began after Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack that left 1,219 Israelis dead.
Famine and malnutrition remain dire, with 453 deaths – including 150 children – linked to hunger.
Hamas has yet to issue an official response, saying consultations with its political and military wings are ongoing. The coming days will determine whether Trump’s high-stakes gamble becomes a breakthrough – or another failed attempt at Middle East peace.
