Trump issues deadline to Hamas for Gaza peace deal
Former President Donald Trump has given Hamas a two-week deadline to accept his proposed peace plan for Gaza, which includes the release of Israeli hostages. The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Hamas has indicated agreement to the hostage release aspect of the deal.
On October 3, 2025, Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, publicly urged Hamas to accept a peace proposal for the Gaza Strip, setting a strict two-week deadline for compliance. According to reports, the plan outlines the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a ceasefire and broader negotiations toward lasting peace between Israel and Palestinian groups.
Trump's statement, delivered during a campaign event, emphasized urgency, stating, 'Hamas has two weeks to agree to this deal, or they will face consequences unlike any they've seen before.' This follows months of stalled talks since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, which killed over 1,200 people and led to the abduction of around 250 hostages. Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza, resulting in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths, as reported by health authorities there.
Sources indicate that Hamas leaders have responded positively to the hostage release component. A Hamas official told Fox News, 'We agree to release the Israeli hostages as outlined in the Trump peace deal, provided other conditions are met.' However, details on the full proposal remain sparse, with Trump describing it as a 'simple and fair' arrangement that would end the war quickly.
The proposal builds on Trump's previous Middle East initiatives, such as the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations during his presidency. Israeli officials have not yet commented publicly, but analysts suggest the plan could pressure both sides amid international calls for de-escalation. The U.S. State Department reiterated support for diplomatic solutions but did not endorse the deadline specifically.
This development occurs against a backdrop of U.S. election dynamics, with Trump positioning himself as a strong leader on foreign policy. Critics, including some Democrats, argue the unilateral deadline risks inflaming the situation further without multilateral involvement. As the deadline approaches—set for mid-October—eyes are on whether Hamas will fully commit or if negotiations will resume under international auspices like those led by Egypt and Qatar.