Hamas to accept Gaza peace plan” />
US President Donald Trump has imposed a firm deadline of 2200 GMT on Sunday for Hamas to agree to his comprehensive 20-point peace proposal aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza. He cautioned that failure to comply would unleash unprecedented consequences on the Palestinian militant group.
This ultimatum, which corresponds to 1:00 a.m. Monday local time in Gaza, follows statements from a Hamas official who informed AFP earlier on Friday that the group was still reviewing the plan designed to halt nearly two years of intense warfare in the region.
Trump emphasized on his Truth Social account, “If this FINAL OPPORTUNITY agreement is rejected, a level of devastation against Hamas unlike anything ever witnessed will ensue.”
The peace framework, supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, includes provisions for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages within three days, the disarmament of Hamas, and a phased Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza.
Subsequently, a transitional governing body would be established to oversee post-conflict recovery, with Trump himself slated to lead this authority.
According to an anonymous source within Hamas, who spoke on condition of confidentiality, “Consultations on Trump’s proposal are ongoing, and the group has informed mediators that additional time is required to deliberate.”
Earlier this week, Trump had granted Hamas “three to four days” to accept the peace plan, which has garnered support from various international actors, including several Arab and Muslim countries.
Mohammad Nazzal, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, remarked on Friday that “there are concerns regarding certain aspects of the plan, and we will communicate our stance shortly.”
– ‘Zones of Fatality’ –
On the ground, Gaza’s civil defense, operating under Hamas’s jurisdiction, reported intense Israeli airstrikes and artillery bombardments targeting Gaza City on Friday.
These attacks reportedly resulted in at least 11 fatalities across the territory, with eight casualties in Gaza City alone.
Requests for comment from the Israeli military remain unanswered.
Due to stringent media restrictions and limited access to many parts of Gaza, independent verification of casualty figures and strike details from both Israeli forces and Gaza’s civil defense remains challenging.
Israel continues its aggressive air and ground campaign against Gaza’s largest urban area, forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to flee their homes.
The United Nations reiterated on Friday that no safe haven exists within Gaza, dismissing Israeli-designated southern zones as “death traps.”
James Elder, UNICEF’s spokesperson in Gaza, described the idea of a “safe zone” in the south as “utterly unrealistic.”
Amnesty International condemned the “devastating surge of mass displacement” as Israel escalates its offensive on Gaza City.
The organization highlighted that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, many displaced multiple times already, are being herded into overcrowded southern enclaves lacking essential resources such as clean water, food, medical services, shelter, and critical infrastructure.
As the conflict approaches its two-year anniversary with mounting casualties, global protests have erupted against Israel’s interception of a flotilla carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid bound for Gaza.
On Friday, organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla announced that their last remaining vessel was intercepted, while Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed the deportation of four Italian participants.
– Divergent Views Within Hamas –
While Hamas continues to evaluate Trump’s peace plan, a Palestinian insider close to the group’s leadership revealed to AFP on Wednesday that Hamas seeks modifications to certain clauses, notably the disarmament condition.
The leadership also demands “international assurances” guaranteeing a complete Israeli withdrawal and a halt to assassination attempts both inside and outside Gaza.
Another source familiar with the negotiations disclosed that Hamas is internally divided over the acceptance of Trump’s proposal.
The group’s command structure is split between officials residing in Gaza and those based abroad, particularly in Qatar.
Moreover, Israeli military operations have decimated much of Hamas’s leadership during the ongoing conflict.
The source explained that “one faction advocates for unconditional acceptance, prioritizing a ceasefire under Trump’s guarantees, with mediators ensuring Israel’s compliance.”
“The other faction harbors significant reservations about key terms and prefers conditional approval contingent on clarifications that reflect Hamas’s and allied resistance groups’ demands,” the source added.
Hugh Lovatt, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, noted, “Ultimately, convincing Hamas’s leadership in Doha is not sufficient; gaining the support of leaders and fighters within Gaza is equally critical.”
He further emphasized, “Hamas must also persuade other factions operating in Gaza to endorse the plan.”
The current war erupted following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in 1,219 deaths, predominantly civilians, according to an AFP compilation of Israeli official data.
Israel’s retaliatory campaign has claimed at least 66,288 Palestinian lives, based on figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, which the United Nations regards as credible.
While these statistics do not differentiate between civilians and combatants, over half of the fatalities are reported to be women and children.