Hamas hesitates on Trump’s peace ultimatum, signaling pushback over disarmament demands even as the U.S. president warns of a “sad end” if the plan is rejected.
Hamas appears unwilling to yield to U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, with reports indicating that the terror group is seeking “amendments” to the most crucial clause — the demand to fully disarm.
According to AFP, a Palestinian source close to Hamas leadership revealed the group is asking for “two or three days at most” before issuing a formal response. But the timeline collides directly with Trump’s 3–4 day ultimatum, issued Tuesday, in which he warned Hamas of a “sad end” should they reject the proposal.
The peace initiative, which has already been accepted by Israel, represents Washington’s most direct attempt yet to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of Israeli hostages. For Hamas, however, the demand to lay down arms strikes at the core of its identity — a condition the group has historically refused under any negotiation.
By dragging its feet and testing the U.S. deadline, Hamas is signaling a familiar playbook: buying time, maintaining its arsenal, and projecting defiance. But analysts warn that rejecting or stalling on Trump’s plan could trigger overwhelming Israeli and American action, leaving Hamas politically cornered and militarily vulnerable.
For Israel, the standoff only reinforces a fundamental truth: true peace can never be built on terror’s terms.
