In a dramatic escalation, former U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a stark warning to Hamas on October 5, 2025, declaring that the group would face “complete obliteration” if it refuses to relinquish power over Gaza. Trump framed this ultimatum as part of his broader 20-point peace proposal for the region and asserted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fully supportive of the plan.
According to Trump, the peace blueprint envisions a halt to hostilities, Israel’s withdrawal from portions of Gaza, and the release of all remaining Israeli hostages. One of the plan’s central tenets demands that Hamas surrender authority over Gaza and ultimately disarm — a condition Trump says will test whether the group is serious about peace.
Trump set a hard deadline for Hamas to accept the plan, warning that failure to comply would prompt renewed military consequences. He emphasized that time is short and that any delay or resistance would not be tolerated.
Netanyahu, speaking alongside Trump during the announcement, affirmed his endorsement of the U.S. peace initiative, stating that Israel would cooperate with the terms — with reservations. He emphasized that Israel’s military presence in Gaza would not be dismantled immediately but would evolve based on the peace plan’s execution and Hamas’s compliance.
Observers note that while both leaders present the initiative as a path toward ending nearly two years of conflict, key components remain unresolved. The question of Hamas disarmament is particularly contentious, with the group refraining from committing to give up its military infrastructure outright. Additionally, the structure and governance of a transitional authority in Gaza, which would oversee the enclave during reorganization and reconstruction, remain central points of negotiation.
The peace plan’s success now hangs in the balance as rounds of indirect talks begin, with Egypt, Qatar, and other regional actors poised to mediate. For now, Trump’s ultimatum adds fresh urgency to a diplomatic effort fraught with historical mistrust, geopolitical constraints, and the looming specter of further military escalation.