U.S. President Donald Trump has given Hamas a three to four-day deadline to accept a U.S.-backed peace proposal for Gaza, warning that rejection of the plan could lead to “a very sad end.”

The 20-point proposal, unveiled on September 29 at the White House alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for an immediate ceasefire, an exchange of hostages for prisoners, a staged Israeli withdrawal, Hamas’ disarmament, and the installation of a transitional government led by an international body.

“Hamas is either going to be doing it or not, and if it’s not, it’s going to be a very sad end,” Trump told reporters in Washington on September 30. Asked whether further negotiations were possible, he replied: “Not much.”

Hamas was not part of the talks that produced the plan but has said it will “review it in good faith.” A source close to the group described the conditions as “completely biased to Israel” and aimed at “eliminating Hamas.”

While Arab powers including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, and Egypt have welcomed the plan, Hamas faces a dilemma. One of its long-standing demands has been a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in return for hostage releases. The group has indicated willingness to step aside administratively but has consistently rejected disarmament.

On the ground, Israeli forces pushed deeper into Gaza City, dropping leaflets ordering civilians to move south. “The battle against Hamas is decisive and will not end until it is defeated,” the flyers read.

The conflict, now in its second year, began after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, assault on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken. Since then, more than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to local health authorities.