US President Donald Trump has set a Sunday deadline for Hamas to agree to a deal to end the war in Gaza, warning “all hell” against the group if it does not accept the terms.
In a Truth Social post he said: “An Agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, D.C. time. Every Country has signed on! If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas. THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.”
The president and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled the 20-point proposal at the White House on Monday, but Hamas said it needed time to look at the details and consult with other Palestinian factions.
Israel has agreed to the terms, which include an immediate ceasefire; the release of all hostages; Hamas disarming; a guarantee no one will be forced to leave Gaza; and a governing “peace panel” including Sir Tony Blair.
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One Hamas leader, Mahmoud Mardawi, however, has been quoted in Middle Eastern outlets as saying the group will not agree a deal that does not include “self-determination for the Palestinian people”.
Mr Trump has struggled to force an end to the conflict, which began when Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023. His latest post on social media is another attempt to increase pressure on Hamas.
“Most of the rest are surrounded and MILITARILY TRAPPED, just waiting for me to give the word, ‘GO,’ for their lives to be quickly extinguished,” Mr Trump wrote.
“As for the rest, we know where and who you are, and you will be hunted down, and killed.”
