Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern ultimatum to Hamas regarding the ongoing situation in Gaza. Trump stated that Hamas must act swiftly, or the consequences would be dire, potentially invalidating all previous efforts. He emphasized that he would not tolerate any delays and urged for a prompt resolution, promising justice for all parties involved. Trump demanded an immediate decision from Hamas, warning that failure to comply would nullify all existing terms.
Trump acknowledged and appreciated Israel’s temporary halt in bombing to facilitate the release of hostages and the potential for a peace agreement. He further warned Hamas to either lay down its arms or cease hostilities, assuring that the agreement would include provisions for both Israel and Hamas.
Trump’s ultimatum followed his earlier statement that Hamas must agree to the proposed peace agreement for the Gaza Strip by 6 p.m. on Sunday, or face intensified attacks. Trump appears committed to fulfilling his promise of ending the conflict and securing the return of hostages before the two-year anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7th.
Trump’s plan for peace in Gaza has been accepted by Israel and has received international support. However, key mediators like Egypt and Qatar, along with a top Hamas leader, have indicated a need for further negotiations on certain aspects, without specifying the details.
Trump declared in a social media post that every country had endorsed the plan and that if the final agreement failed, Hamas would face unprecedented consequences. He reiterated his commitment to establishing peace in the Middle East.
Following Trump’s statement, Hamas accepted some points of the American plan to end the war in Gaza, prompting Trump to order Israel to halt its bombing campaign. Hamas announced that it would release hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians, although further discussions were needed on certain aspects of the plan among Palestinians. Senior Hamas officials cited significant disagreements that required detailed negotiations.
In response to Hamas’s acceptance of some points, the Israeli military announced on Saturday that it would expedite preparations for the first phase of the plan. The military stated that Israeli leaders had instructed the acceleration of preparations for the implementation. An official stated that Israel had adopted a defensive stance in Gaza and would not launch any attacks, and that no security forces had been withdrawn from Gaza.