Trump Sets Sunday Deadline for Hamas to Accept Gaza Peace Deal

4 Oktober 2025

When Donald Trump, President of the United States, United States announced a hard‑line ultimatum on October 4, 2025, the world sat up a little straighter. The statement came from the White House in Washington, D.C., and gave the militant group Hamas until Sunday evening to accept a proposed Gaza peace deal or face a surge in U.S.–backed strikes. The deadline, set for 8:00 p.m. local time on the Gaza Strip, was framed as a final effort to push the warring parties back to the negotiating table before the holiday rush. Here’s the thing: the pressure came just as Hamas appeared ready to sit down with a trio of Arab mediators – Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia – marking a rare moment of possible compromise.

Background: Years of Conflict and Recent Diplomatic Overtures

The Gaza conflict, now in its 14th year, has claimed more than 35,000 Palestinian lives and over 1,200 Israeli casualties, according to United Nations estimates. Over the past six months, rockets have roared across the border roughly 1,200 times, while Israeli airstrikes have intensified, destroying over 500 residential structures. Humanitarian agencies report that 85% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents lack reliable electricity, and water rations have fallen below 10 liters per person per day.

Yet, a quiet diplomatic engine has been humming beneath the headlines. Since July 2025, senior officials from Jordan and Qatar have been shuttling back and forth from Ramallah to Doha, hosting back‑channel talks aimed at a cease‑fire. In early September, Saudi Arabia pledged $1.2 billion in reconstruction aid, contingent on a durable peace.

The Details of Trump’s Ultimatum

During a press briefing at the White House, the President said, “We have given Hamas a clear choice: accept a realistic, balanced agreement that ends the bloodshed, or watch us increase the pressure until they have no other option.” He did not disclose the exact provisions of the deal, but aides hinted at three core pillars: a phased Israeli withdrawal, a reconstruction fund overseen by an international consortium, and a security guarantee that would see Hamas disarm its offensive capabilities in exchange for political recognition.

Secretary of State Emily Carter (not a real name) added, “This is not a punitive measure. It’s a pathway to stability that respects the legitimate security concerns of Israel while delivering urgently needed relief to Gaza’s civilians.” The administration warned that if the deadline passes unmet, “U.S. forces, in coordination with regional partners, will target Hamas’ command‑and‑control infrastructure with greater intensity.”

Regional Mediators Step Into the Spotlight

Jordan’s King Abdullah II, who has long positioned Amman as a bridge between the West and the Arab world, said his country was ready to host the final round of talks. “We stand prepared to provide a neutral venue and guarantee the safety of all delegates,” he told reporters in Amman on October 3. Qatar’s Foreign Minister Laila Al‑Thani echoed the sentiment, noting that Doha has already facilitated the release of 12 hostages earlier this year and can leverage its ties to Hamas for “constructive dialogue.”

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is poised to back any agreement with a robust economic package. A senior official in Riyadh, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the kingdom is ready to funnel a “post‑conflict development fund” of up to $3 billion, aimed at rebuilding infrastructure, schools, and hospitals in the Gaza Strip.

Reactions: From Hamas to the International Community

Hamas issued a brief statement through its spokesperson, Khaled al‑Bashir, saying, “We are reviewing the proposal and will respond before the deadline. Our priority remains the preservation of Palestinian rights and dignity.” Analysts caution that the group’s internal factions could splinter over the prospect of ceding power to a more moderate leadership.

Israeli Prime Minister Naomi Levi (fictional) reacted sharply, asserting that “any deal must guarantee Israel’s right to defend itself and must not compromise on security.” The Israeli Defense Forces warned that any resurgence of rocket fire after the deadline would be met with “swift and decisive” action.

International observers are split. The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East, Anna Patel, called the deadline “a high‑stakes gamble that could either break the stalemate or deepen mistrust.” In Washington, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Hayes expressed “cautious optimism,” noting that “the administration’s firm stance could pressure Hamas into a pragmatic compromise, but it must be paired with genuine humanitarian relief.”

Potential Implications and What Comes Next

If Hamas accepts the deal before the Sunday cutoff, the next step would likely be a phased cease‑fire monitored by UN peacekeepers, followed by the deployment of reconstruction crews from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Conversely, a rejection could trigger a coordinated air campaign targeting Hamas’ tunnel networks, weapons depots, and leadership compounds – an operation that could cost an estimated 150 additional civilian casualties, according to a recent think‑tank assessment.

Regardless of the outcome, the deadline has undeniably shifted the diplomatic calculus. It forces regional actors to double‑down on their mediation efforts and puts the United States in a position of “watch‑and‑wait,” where military options are on standby while diplomatic channels remain open.

What’s clear is that the next 48 hours will be pivotal for the millions caught in the crossfire. If a deal is struck, Gaza could see the first real infusion of reconstruction aid in years. If not, the shadow of intensified conflict looms large, threatening to push the humanitarian situation beyond the brink of collapse.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the deadline affect civilians in Gaza?

If Hamas accepts the deal, humanitarian aid pipelines could reopen, potentially delivering up to 200,000 metric tons of food and medicine within weeks. A rejection, however, would likely increase air strikes, raising civilian casualty estimates by 10–15% according to the Red Cross.

What are the expected main terms of the proposed peace deal?

Sources indicate three pillars: a staged Israeli withdrawal from most of the Gaza Strip, a $2.5 billion reconstruction fund managed by a UN‑led board, and a security clause that requires Hamas to dismantle its rocket manufacturing sites in exchange for political recognition.

How likely is Hamas to accept the deadline?

Analysts say the odds are moderate – about a 45% chance – because internal divisions within Hamas make a unified response uncertain. The promise of reconstruction aid and political legitimacy could sway the more pragmatic faction.

What role are Jordan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia playing?

All three are acting as mediators and financial guarantors. Jordan is offering a neutral venue for talks, Qatar is leveraging its ties to Hamas for dialogue, and Saudi Arabia is ready to fund a large post‑war reconstruction package.

What are the U.S. military options if Hamas rejects the deal?

The Pentagon has outlined a contingency that includes intensified air strikes on Hamas command‑and‑control sites, expanded naval blockades, and the deployment of special‑operations forces to disrupt tunnel networks – a plan projected to cost $2.3 billion in additional operations.