Trump Ultimatum: Hamas Reportedly Agrees to Release Hostages

President Trump issued a hard ultimatum giving Hamas until Sunday at 6 p.m. Washington time to accept a U.S.-backed 20-point peace plan or face a dramatically escalated military response, warning that 'all hell' will break loose and fighters could be 'hunted down.' The plan, endorsed by Israel and several Arab states, would require Hamas to disarm, relinquish power and immediately release remaining hostages (about 48), while Israel would halt major offensive operations, withdraw from much territory, free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, allow a large influx of humanitarian aid and place Gaza under international governance overseen by outside figures. Bloomberg reports that Hamas has agreed to release all hostages under an exchange formula contingent on field conditions, though other Hamas officials have rejected a strict take-it-or-leave-it approach and sought clarifications and timetables. Egypt, Qatar and Gulf partners are pressing Hamas to accept or amend the deal, while the White House says it has not received a formal reply and is maintaining its 'last chance' posture. Humanitarian agencies and the U.N. report escalating strikes, mass displacement and civilian deaths in areas Palestinians were ordered to move to, raising fears the deadline could trigger large-scale violence.