Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter, former Shin Bet chief, doubts Hamas will accept President Trump’s Gaza peace deal — but says their refusal will hand Israel and the U.S. full legitimacy to crush the terror group.
“I’ve Known Hamas Since Its Birth”
Israeli Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter, who once headed the Shin Bet, cast serious doubt that Hamas will ever accept the peace initiative unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump.
“As someone who has known Hamas since its founding, I have difficulty seeing the terrorist organization adopting the plan,” Dichter said.
Hamas’s Refusal = Israel’s Green Light
Despite his skepticism, Dichter urged calm, stressing that rejection of the plan would only strengthen Israel’s hand:
“We should not panic. Hamas’s failure to accept the plan gives international, and certainly American, legitimacy to complete the goals in the way we are today.”
In other words, if Hamas refuses, Israel is free to finish dismantling the terror infrastructure without diplomatic restraints.
Trump’s Ultimatum
Earlier, President Trump told reporters Hamas has 3–4 days to respond to the 20-point plan.
“All of the Arab countries have signed up, the Muslim countries have signed up, Israel’s all signed up. We’re just waiting for Hamas,” Trump said, warning:
“Hamas is either gonna be doing it or not, and if it’s not, it’s going to be a very sad end.”
The Bottom Line
For Israel, Hamas’s likely rejection of Trump’s terms — total disarmament, hostage release, and permanent exclusion from Gaza’s future — could mark the moment the terror group seals its own fate.
