by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff
(Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern ultimatum Tuesday, warning Hamas it has only “three or four days” to accept his new 20-point Gaza peace plan or face destruction at the hands of Israel.
“All of the Arab countries are signed up, the Muslim countries all signed up, Israel’s all signed up. We’re just waiting for Hamas, and Hamas is either going to be doing it or not — and if it’s not, it’s going to be a very sad end,” Trump told reporters before leaving the White House. Speaking later to U.S. generals in Quantico, Virginia, he added that Hamas’ signature is the only one missing, warning that “it will pay in hell if they don’t sign.”
The plan, unveiled Monday alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for the release of all 48 hostages in Gaza within 72 hours, including the return of bodies, in exchange for Israel freeing over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. It also outlines the gradual withdrawal of the IDF, the deployment of an international security force, and the creation of a transitional “technocratic” Palestinian administration under international oversight. Hamas fighters who disarm would receive amnesty, while others could leave for third countries under protection.
Arab and Muslim nations — including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, and Pakistan — have voiced support for the deal. Turkey’s intelligence chief traveled to Doha this week to press Hamas to accept, while Qatar confirmed it is mediating clarifications with the group. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also urged all parties to commit to the agreement and implement an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
Hamas, however, has presented a list of clarification demands through Qatar. These include assurances that senior officials will not be targeted by Israel, adjustments to the timeline of IDF withdrawal, and more gradual hostages-for-withdrawal sequencing. The group has also resisted surrendering what it calls “defensive” weapons. Diplomats in the Gulf say Hamas is hesitating under Arab and Turkish pressure, while its remaining ally Iran is distracted by snapback sanctions.
Israeli officials close to the plan described it as the best possible outcome under the circumstances, noting that while Hamas may secure some concessions — including prisoner releases and safe passage for leaders — the framework achieves Israel’s war objectives and national cohesion. Netanyahu defended the deal against right-wing criticism, insisting the hostages’ return is indispensable before the war can end.
Public opinion remains divided. Many Palestinians accuse the proposal of sidelining their aspirations for statehood and placing Gaza under foreign supervision, while some Israelis mourning October 7 victims expressed skepticism that Hamas would ever comply. Still, Trump insisted the moment is decisive: “We have one signature that we need,” he said, “and I hope they sign for their own good and create something really great.”
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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