In a significant diplomatic move, Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, jointly unveiled a 20-point peace plan for Gaza, delivering an unequivocal ultimatum to Hamas. The two leaders, following a meeting at the White House in Washington, held a joint press briefing on Monday, where they lauded their proposal as a historic breakthrough destined to inaugurate a new chapter for the Middle East.

The comprehensive plan aims to resolve the conflict that escalated after the deadly attack on October 7, 2023. Key provisions include an immediate ceasefire, a prisoner swap where hostages held by Hamas would be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a staged withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestinian territory, and the disarmament of Hamas. The plan also mandates Hamas to renounce its governance in the Gaza Strip. Furthermore, it outlines a framework for a transitional government to be led by an international body, ensuring that Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence would either receive amnesty to remain in Gaza or be granted safe passage to receiving countries. Trump specifically stated that if accepted, the proposal calls for the release of all remaining hostages immediately, or in no case, more than 72 hours.

However, the immediate challenge to the plan's viability became apparent as Hamas was reportedly not consulted during its formulation. Mahmoud Mardawi, a Hamas official, stated that the group had not even received the plan initially, as reported by Reuters. Subsequently, Qatari and Egyptian mediators met with Hamas on Monday evening to brief the group on the peace proposal. Both Trump and Netanyahu underscored that Hamas had no alternative but to accept the terms. Trump explicitly warned that if Hamas rejected the deal, Israel would have his