Trump gives Hamas Sunday 6 PM deadline, threatens to 'hunt down and kill' fighters
President Trump circulated a 20–21‑point Gaza peace plan this week and set an explicit deadline for Hamas to accept it—“Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, D.C. time”—warning on Truth Social that Hamas would be “hunted down, and killed” and that a refusal could bring a “very sad end” or that “all HELL… will break out.” The U.S.‑backed proposal, supported by Netanyahu, would require Gaza’s demilitarization and the rapid release of roughly 48–50 hostages (about 20 believed alive) in exchange for large Palestinian prisoner releases, transitional international governance and an Arab‑led security force, but Hamas and regional actors have raised objections, many Gazans say they were not consulted, and Gaza’s health ministry reports more than 66,000 Palestinian deaths amid massive displacement.
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🔍 Key Facts
- The White House circulated a roughly 20–21‑point Gaza peace/ceasefire plan (sent by special envoy Steve Witkoff) that calls for Gaza demilitarization, phased Israeli withdrawal, destruction of weapons infrastructure under international monitors, and an Arab‑led stabilization/security force.
- The plan would create a transitional 'Board of Peace' to run Gaza—reported to be chaired by President Trump with former British PM Tony Blair involved—and place civilian authority in apolitical technocrats supervised by an international body.
- President Trump gave Hamas a firm public deadline—'Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, D.C. time'—calling the proposal a 'LAST CHANCE' on social media and threatening that Hamas 'will be hunted down, and killed' and that 'all HELL... will break out' if it is not accepted.
- The plan ties rapid hostage and prisoner exchanges to acceptance: Hamas would be required to release all hostages within days (reports say 48–72 hours); reporting indicates roughly 48–50 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, about 20 believed alive, while Israel would release around 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and about 1,700 other detainees; the plan also specifies a remains‑exchange ratio.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly agreed to the plan at a Sept. 29 White House meeting with Trump (their fourth meeting since January 2025), but regional countries disagree on key points and the deal was described as far from assured.
- Hamas officials publicly rejected a 'take or leave it' approach, saying Palestinians cannot forfeit basic rights without a clear timetable for Israeli withdrawal; Qatari and Egyptian mediators said Hamas would review the proposal 'in good faith,' and reporting indicated Hamas had not formally received the latest text at the time.
- Many Gazans say they were not consulted and fear losing self‑determination under an internationally imposed governance board; civilians in Gaza are making immediate displacement decisions depending on Hamas' response and on-the-ground security orders.
- The U.N. Human Rights Office called the proposal a 'window of opportunity' for aid and hostage release but warned that displacement sites in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis are hosting more than half a million people amid ongoing intense strikes in areas where civilians had been ordered to move; reporting also noted wider regional instability, including long‑range Israeli strikes reported in Yemen.
- U.S. diplomatic follow‑up includes envoy Mike Huckabee visiting Cairo to press for a ceasefire; the administration has signaled interest in blocking Israeli annexation steps if requested by partners and has considered ideas pitched by Tony Blair as part of postwar Gaza planning.
📍 Contextual Background
- Under U.S. federal law, attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization is a criminal offense.
- As of 2025-09-29, the statutory maximum prison sentence for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization is 15 years.
- Department of Defense contingency guidance listed priority missions during a shutdown in the following order: operations to secure the U.S. Southern Border; Middle East operations; the U.S. missile defense project Golden Dome for America; depot maintenance; shipbuilding; and critical munitions.
- The Islamic State group (ISIS) is designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
📰 Sources (13)
Trump gives Hamas a 'last chance' deadline to agree to a peace plan with Israel
New information:
- Reports Trump posted on Truth Social calling the proposal a 'LAST CHANCE' and explicitly warning 'all HELL... will break out against Hamas' if not accepted.
- Hamas official publicly rejected a 'take or leave it approach,' saying Palestinians cannot give up basic rights without details on a timetable for Israeli withdrawal.
- The U.N. Human Rights Office characterized the White House plan as a 'window of opportunity' for aid and hostage release and noted that displacement sites in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis are hosting more than half a million people.
- Article details recent intense strikes in parts of Deir al Balah and reports from the U.N. of civilian deaths in areas where people had been ordered to move.
Trump puts Hamas on notice with deadline to accept Gaza peace deal
New information:
- Exact deadline specified: 'Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, D.C. time.'
- More severe language quoted: Trump said Hamas 'will be "hunted down, and killed"' unless hostages are released.
- Presidential call for 'innocent Palestinians' to immediately move out of areas at risk, with assurance those who relocate would be cared for by relief efforts.
Trump gives Hamas 'three to four days' to accept plan or meet a 'a very sad end'
New information:
- President Donald Trump publicly gave Hamas an explicit 3–4 day deadline to accept the U.S.-backed 20-point Gaza plan.
- Direct quoted threat from Trump that Hamas will meet 'a very sad end' if it does not accept the plan.
- Fox reports top officials from Qatar and Egypt met with Hamas negotiators and that Hamas said it would review the plan 'in good faith' (context for the deadline).
As Gazans weigh Trump plan, what’s missing is a say in their future
New information:
- On‑the‑ground Gazan perspectives emphasizing that Palestinians in Gaza were not consulted and fear losing self‑determination under the plan.
- Multiple named Gaza residents and local figures quoted (e.g., Thabet al‑Amour; Salem al‑Bayouk) expressing cautious optimism about a lull but deep skepticism about an internationally imposed governance board.
- Detail that many Gazans are waiting on Hamas' decision to determine whether to flee besieged Gaza City, indicating immediate civilian planning and displacement implications.
A weakened Hamas faces pressure to accept Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza
New information:
- Reports that the plan would require release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including about 250 serving life sentences.
- Explicit description that Hamas would have to release all hostages 'within days' of the plan taking effect.
- Detail that power in Gaza would be turned over to apolitical technocrats supervised by an international body described as led by Trump and former British PM Tony Blair.
- Clarification that the international security force would be composed largely of troops from Arab and Muslim countries and that the U.S. would lead a massive reconstruction effort.
- Quote from Netanyahu: 'Instead of Hamas isolating us, we turned the tables and isolated Hamas.'
Here's how Trump's proposed Gaza peace plan would work
New information:
- Specific prisoner‑release figures: Israel would free 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 other Gazans detained after the conflict, to follow Hamas's release of hostages.
- A set exchange ratio for remains: the plan calls for the remains of 15 deceased Gazans to be returned for every one deceased Israeli hostage.
- Aid and logistics detail: 'full aid' to be immediately sent through the Rafah crossing with rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries and distribution by international institutions (UN and Red Crescent).
- Diplomatic note: Qatar's prime minister and Egypt's intelligence chief met with Hamas negotiators who said they would review the proposal 'in good faith.'
- Operational detail: Gaza demilitarization to occur 'under the supervision of independent monitors' with weapons factories/tunnels destroyed and decommissioning overseen by regional guarantees.
Netanyahu bends to Trump on Gaza, but disarming Hamas remains a hurdle
New information:
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly agreed to President Trump’s 20‑point Gaza plan during a Sept. 29 White House meeting.
- Specific hostage and prisoner figures tied to the deal: 48 remaining Israeli hostages (about 20 believed alive) to be returned within 72 hours of acceptance; release of 250 Palestinian security prisoners plus 1,700 others.
- Direct on‑the‑record quotes from both presidents: Trump threatening U.S. backing for Israel to 'finish the job' if Arab states fail to demilitarize Gaza; Netanyahu warning Israel will 'finish the job' if Hamas rejects or subverts the plan.
What’s in the plan to end the Gaza war proposed by Trump and Netanyahu
New information:
- The White House published a 20‑point plan that would end fighting within 72 hours if Hamas accepts it.
- The plan explicitly calls for release of all 50 Israeli hostages (dead and alive) currently in Gaza.
- Creation of a transitional 'Board of Peace' to run Gaza until reforms, chaired by President Trump and including former British PM Tony Blair; foreign troops would provide security and train Palestinian police.
- The plan requires Gaza to be demilitarized, establishes a security buffer zone while Israeli forces withdraw in phases, and offers amnesty to fighters who renounce violence contingent on reforms.
Trump hosts Netanyahu at the White House, pushes peace plan for Gaza
New information:
- Special envoy Steve Witkoff has sent a detailed 21‑point plan to both Israel and Hamas (per White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt).
- A joint White House news conference was scheduled for 1:15 p.m. ET during the meeting day.
- On arrival, President Trump said he was 'very confident' a deal would be reached and reiterated 'I think we have maybe a deal on Gaza.'
- President Trump publicly stated he 'will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.'
Live Updates: Netanyahu and Trump Meet to Discuss Gaza Plans
New information:
- Reporting that the Trump administration is considering an idea pitched by Tony Blair as part of postwar Gaza planning (in addition to the previously reported Witkoff 21‑point plan).
- Netanyahu suggested Israel might grant amnesty to Hamas members if they ended the war and released remaining hostages (at least 20 still held), a quote reported by the Times.
- Confirmation this is the fourth Netanyahu‑Trump meeting in Washington since January 2025 and that Israel's international isolation has deepened as several European countries recognized a Palestinian state.
- Noted operational/diplomatic detail that Hamas said it had not yet formally received a copy of the latest cease‑fire proposal.
- Contextual detail citing a Sept. 9 Israeli strike on Qatar (an attempt to kill Hamas leaders) as a factor stalling cease‑fire talks.
Trump’s Gaza Cease-Fire Plan Faces Obstacles as He Meets With Netanyahu
New information:
- Proposal detail: would see Hamas release up to 20 remaining living hostages within 48 hours.
- Operational condition: Hamas must lay down arms and depart the enclave before a transitional government takes over.
- Governance/security elements: envisions a transitional government and an Arab‑led stabilization force; Israeli troops to leave the battlefield.
- Contextual update: the deal appears far off because regional countries disagree on key points.
Palestinian death toll tops 66,000 as Netanyahu prepares to meet Trump
New information:
- Gaza's Health Ministry reports the Palestinian death toll in the war has exceeded 66,000.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to the White House Monday to meet President Donald Trump to discuss ending the Gaza offensive.
- U.S. ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee will visit Cairo to press for a ceasefire, according to the U.S. Embassy in Israel.
- The article restates hostage figures: 48 hostages remain in Gaza, about 20 believed alive.
- An alleged car‑ramming attacker near Nablus in the West Bank was shot dead by Israeli security forces, signaling surging violence in the West Bank.
Trump stakes Gaza peace hopes on 21-point plan as Israel, Houthis continue deadly fighting
New information:
- President Trump circulated a 21‑point Gaza peace plan at U.N. General Assembly meetings in New York this week.
- White House envoy Steve Witkoff summarized core provisions: return of all hostages (living and deceased); no further attacks on Qatar; a new dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians; and U.S. engagement to block Israeli annexation steps if requested by partners.
- Concurrently, Israel launched long‑range strikes inside Yemen—reported more than 2,000 kilometers from Israel—underscoring regional instability as diplomacy unfolded.