In a bold move to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza, former US President Donald Trump has presented a 20-point peace plan, setting a strict deadline for Hamas to accept the proposal. Trump, via his Truth Social platform, declared that an agreement must be finalized by 18:00 Washington time (22:00 GMT) on Sunday, warning of severe consequences if Hamas fails to comply. The plan outlines an immediate cessation of hostilities and the release of 20 living Israeli hostages, along with the remains of those believed deceased, within 72 hours. In return, hundreds of detained Gazans would be freed. Arab and Turkish mediators are reportedly urging Hamas to consider the proposal positively. However, a senior Hamas official has indicated that the group is likely to reject the plan. Trump emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, ‘If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas. THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.’ Mediators have engaged with Hamas’s military wing leader in Gaza, who has expressed disagreement with the US ceasefire proposal. While some political leaders of Hamas in Qatar are open to accepting the plan with modifications, their influence is limited as they do not control the hostages. A significant obstacle for Hamas is the requirement to release all hostages within the first 72 hours of the ceasefire, effectively relinquishing their primary bargaining leverage. It is estimated that 48 hostages are still held by Hamas in Gaza, with only 20 believed to be alive. The 20-point plan, jointly announced by Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, also stipulates that Hamas will have no role in governing Gaza and leaves the possibility open for a future Palestinian state. However, Netanyahu has reiterated his opposition to a Palestinian state, stating, ‘It’s not written in the agreement. We said we would strongly oppose a Palestinian state.’ Trump has assured that Israel would have US support to ‘finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas’ if the group rejects the plan. Netanyahu has echoed this sentiment, vowing that Israel ‘will finish the job’ if Hamas does not comply. The conflict escalated following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Since then, Israeli attacks in Gaza have reportedly killed at least 66,288 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.