President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu at a joint press conference. Reuters Yonhap News.

U.S. President Donald Trump on the 3rd (local time) issued a deadline to the Palestinian militant group Hamas, stating, "You must agree to (the Gaza peace initiative) by 6 p.m. Sunday (the 5th) Washington D.C. time (7 a.m. on the 6th, Korean time)."

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, President Trump stated, "All countries have signed. If you miss this last chance to reach an agreement, hell the likes of which no one has ever seen before will unfold before Hamas," he warned.

He reiterated his demand to Hamas, saying, "Release all Israeli hostages, including the bodies, immediately."

President Trump pointed out, "Hamas has been a ruthless and violent threat in the Middle East for years. They murdered people while making life unbearable, culminating in the massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023." He added, "Babies, women, children, the elderly, and many young men and women, boys and girls who were preparing to celebrate their future lives were sacrificed."

He continued, "As retribution for the attack on civilization, 25,000 Hamas soldiers have died. The rest are mostly surrounded and militarily trapped, and their lives will quickly vanish once I give the command to 'go'." He stated, "We know where you are and who you are. You will be tracked down and killed."

He further added, "Fortunately, Hamas will be given one more last chance." He emphasized, "We have agreed to a peace deal that could bring 3,000 years of peace to the Middle East, signed by great, strong, and very wealthy countries in the Middle East and the surrounding regions, as well as the United States and Israel. This agreement also spares the lives of all surviving Hamas combatants."

Earlier, on the 29th of last month, after a summit with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, President Trump announced a 20-point peace initiative at a joint press conference. This initiative included the release of hostages and detainees by both Israel and Hamas, the disarmament of Hamas, amnesty for Hamas members, the establishment of a transitional government in Gaza, and the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces. He also demanded the release of hostages by Hamas within 72 hours.

The following day, President Trump pressured Hamas by stating that they could have "three to four days" to respond.

Hamas soldiers. EPA Yonhap News.

Yonhap News