Trump’s Ultimatum to Hamas: A Historic Gamble for Middle East Peace

President Donald Trump has taken a historic gamble on Middle East peace, issuing a direct ultimatum to Hamas with a 20-point plan that has been accepted by Israel and the Arab world. The high-stakes move gives the Palestinian militant group just days to choose between a brokered peace or a “very sad end.”
This diplomatic gambit hinges on forcing a decisive outcome to the war that began in October 2023. Trump is leveraging the full weight of US influence and a newly forged international consensus to pressure Hamas into a corner. “Hamas has to agree, and if they don’t it’s going to be very tough on them,” he warned.
The plan itself is a sweeping vision for post-conflict Gaza. It requires Hamas’s total disarmament and removal from power as a precondition for peace. Should the group agree, the rewards would be an immediate ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, the return of all hostages, a prisoner exchange, and a massive international aid effort to rebuild Gaza.
The proposal has been welcomed by countries as diverse as France, Russia, and India, demonstrating the global desire to end the devastating conflict. While Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has embraced the deal, his opposition to a future Palestinian state—a possibility the US plan allows for—points to future diplomatic hurdles.
For now, the world holds its breath as Hamas mulls over the proposal. The group’s decision will determine the success or failure of Trump’s audacious move and will seal the fate of millions in the region.