WASHINGTON — The White House indicated Thursday that President Donald Trump will establish a firm timeline for Hamas to respond to an Israeli-endorsed peace framework for Gaza, though officials stopped short of confirming whether a previously announced deadline remains in effect.
Speaking earlier this week, Trump stated Hamas would have approximately three to four days to accept a comprehensive 20-point proposal that includes a provision requiring the militant organization to surrender its weapons—a condition the group has historically rejected. A source familiar with Hamas’s position confirmed Wednesday that the organization is currently evaluating the plan.
During an appearance on Fox News’s “America’s Newsroom,” White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt was asked to clarify at what point Hamas would be deemed to have rejected the offer.
“That’s an excellent question, and it represents a red line the president will need to define. I’m confident he will do so,” Leavitt responded. She emphasized the administration’s extensive efforts in crafting the detailed proposal, which has garnered international praise.
“This represents a viable framework, and we anticipate Hamas will accept it to enable progress,” she added.
Key Elements of the Proposal
The peace plan outlines several major provisions:
An immediate cessation of hostilities
A comprehensive prisoner exchange involving all hostages currently held by Hamas and Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody
A phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza
Complete disarmament of Hamas
Implementation of an interim governing authority under international supervision
Historical Context
According to observers, many components of this 20-point framework mirror provisions included in multiple ceasefire proposals presented over the past two years. Both Israeli and Hamas leadership have previously accepted and later withdrawn support from various iterations of similar agreements at different points during negotiations.
