Trump sets Sunday deadline for Hamas to accept 20-point peace plan on Gaza

WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump said Friday that Hamas must accept the 20-point peace plan on Gaza by 6 pm Eastern Time (2200 GMT) on Sunday, otherwise "all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas."

Trump said on Truth Social that Hamas will be given "one last chance," adding that "nations of the Middle East, and the surrounding areas beyond, together with the United States of America, have agreed, with Israel signing on, to PEACE, after 3000 years, in the Middle East."

He also urged Palestinians to immediately leave areas of great danger and move to safer parts of Gaza. "Everyone will be well cared for by those that are waiting to help."

On Monday, the Trump administration unveiled the 20-point proposal after Trump held talks with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

The plan outlines a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, a phased Israeli withdrawal, a demilitarized Gaza, and international oversight of Gaza's reconstruction and governance after the end of the conflict. Hamas will be excluded from the governance structure.

Under the ceasefire terms, Israel will halt military actions and pull back to the agreed lines. Hamas, within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting the agreement, must release all hostages, alive and deceased. In return, Israel will free 250 life sentence prisoners plus 1,700 Gazans who were detained after Oct. 7, 2023. Disarmed Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence will be given amnesty and those who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.

At a press conference following the meeting, Netanyahu endorsed the plan, saying it met Israel's major objectives -- the return of hostages, the dismantling of Hamas's military capabilities, the end of the group's political presence, and the guarantee of Gaza's demilitarization.

He warned that Israel would "finish the job itself" if Hamas rejected the plan. Trump, in turn, pledged "full support" for Israel under such circumstances.