President Trump Gives Hamas 3-4 Days To Respond To Gaza Peace Proposals

JAKARTA - United States President Donald Trump gave Hamas three to four days on Tuesday to respond to the US-backed Gaza Strip peace plan, warning of a "very sad ending" if the group rejected a proposal that he said nearly ended the two-year conflict.

Qatari and Egypt mediators submitted the 20-point proposal to Hamas on Monday evening, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was present with President Trump at the White House and supported the document.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, President Trump said Israeli and Arab leaders had supported the plan and that "we were just waiting for Hamas" to make a decision. He gave the group "three or four days" to respond.

"Hamas will do it or not, and if not, it will be a very sad end," President Trump said while leaving the White House.

When asked if there was room for further talks on the proposal, he replied: "Not much."

The Hamas group was not involved in negotiations that resulted in the proposal, calling on the Islamist militant group to strip weapons, demands previously rejected by the militant group.

However, an official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters the group "will review it in good faith and provide a response".

The plan establishes an immediate ceasefire, the exchange of all Hamas detained hostages with Israeli detained Palestinian prisoners, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the denomination of Hamas weapons, and the formation of a transitional government led by international agencies.

A source close to Hamas told Reuters the plan was "fully biased against Israel" and imposed "impossible terms" aimed at eliminating the group.

Many of the elements of the 20 points have been included in various ceasefire deals proposed over the past two years, including those received and later rejected at various stages by Israel and Hamas.

One of Hamas' main conditions since the beginning of the war was Israel's full withdrawal from Gaza in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages. Although the group has shown its readiness to release administrative authorities, they have consistently rejected the ceasefire.

"What Trump has proposed is the full application of all Israeli requirements, which do not grant any legal rights to the Palestinian people or residents of the Gaza Strip," a Palestinian official asked not to be named to Reuters.

However, Hamas faced considerable pressure to accept the plan, with Saudi Arabia's foreign ministers Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Egypt welcoming the initiative.

On the other hand, despite initially supporting President Trump's plans, Netanyahu later expressed his doubts about some elements of the proposal, including prospects for the formation of a Palestinian State, something he has repeatedly ruled out.

"We want the war to end, but we want the occupation army that has killed tens of thousands of people from us out and let us alone," one Abu Amr, 60, a six-child father from Gaza City told Reuters.

"We hope this plan will end the war, but we are not sure it will happen, neither Trump nor Netanyahu cannot be trusted," he added.