President Trump has issued a time limit to Hamas, demanding them to approve a proposed ceasefire agreement for the Gaza region or else risk intense repercussions.
Through a post on his social media platform on Friday, Trump stated that an deal must be reached by 18:00 Washington time (10 PM GMT) on the coming Sunday.
The proposed agreement calls for an immediate halt to conflict and the return within a short period of twenty living Israel detainees captured by the group—along with the remains of hostages believed to be deceased—in exchange for hundreds of detained Palestinians.
Arab and Turkish mediators are understood to be pressing the organization for a favorable answer to the offer, but a prominent Hamas figure has indicated that the armed faction is probable to refuse it.
"Should this FINAL settlement is not reached, severe retaliation, as no one has before seen, will break out against Hamas. WE WILL ACHIEVE STABILITY IN THE REGION BY ANY MEANS," Trump posted in the Truth Social post.
Intermediaries have made contact with the leader of Hamas's military wing in Gaza, who has indicated that he is opposed to the new US truce initiative, based on sources.
Sources indicate that a portion of Hamas's political leadership in Qatar are open to agreeing to the plan with changes—yet have found their authority restricted as they do not have authority over the hostages detained by the faction.
An additional stumbling block for certain in the group is that the proposal requires them to surrender each and every the detainees over the first short window of the ceasefire—giving away their primary bargaining chip.
It is estimated to be forty-eight hostages currently being kept in the Palestinian area by the militant faction, just 20 of whom are estimated to be alive.
The Israeli defense forces began a offensive in the Gaza Strip in retaliation to the group's offensive on southern Israel on a previous date, in which roughly 1,200 civilians were slain and two hundred fifty-one additional individuals were captured.
At least 66,288 individuals have been killed in Israel's attacks in Gaza following the start, according to the territory's Hamas-controlled medical office.
Lena Hoffmann is a seasoned journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that matter, specializing in German current affairs and digital media trends.
