United States President Donald Trump has given Hamas only “three or four days” to respond to his new Gaza ceasefire plan, warning that failure to accept it could bring serious consequences. The proposal, already backed by Israel and some Arab states, is being presented as a path to ending the two-year war in Gaza.
Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Trump urged Hamas to act quickly. “Hamas is either going to be doing it or not, and if it’s not, it’s going to be a very sad end,” he said. When asked if there was room for negotiation, Trump replied: “Not much.” He also thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met him in Washington on Monday, for supporting the plan.
The 20-point White House proposal includes an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, exchange of Israeli captives for Palestinians in Israeli prisons, a phased Israeli withdrawal, Hamas disarmament under international monitoring, and the deployment of a temporary international stabilization force. The plan rules out any role for Hamas in Gaza’s future governance, offering its members either amnesty if they accept peaceful coexistence or safe passage abroad.
The proposal comes at a time when Gaza is facing one of the deadliest phases of the war. Local health officials report the death toll has surpassed 66,000, with ongoing Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza. On Tuesday, six people, including a child and a journalist, were killed in a drone attack in Deir el-Balah, while four others died in strikes near the Nuseirat refugee camp.
Qatar confirmed that Hamas’s leadership is studying the proposal. “We explained to Hamas during our meeting yesterday that our primary goal is stopping the war,” said Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. “Hamas acted responsibly and promised to study the plan.”
Fatah, the rival Palestinian faction that dominates the West Bank, welcomed U.S. efforts to end the war but described the proposal as a “document of surrender” that undermines Palestinian sovereignty. Senior official Abbas Zaki said the plan was being imposed without proper Palestinian input.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed Washington’s push for peace, calling on all parties to commit to easing civilian suffering. However, analysts warned that Trump’s approach looked more like an ultimatum than a negotiation. Experts also argued the framework was “problematic” because it demands Hamas give up its leverage to parties it does not trust.
With the humanitarian crisis deepening and pressure mounting, the coming days will determine whether Hamas agrees to Trump’s plan or risks further escalation in the conflict.
