Heavy Israeli bombardment struck Gaza City on Wednesday as Hamas considered a new peace proposal presented by U.S. President Donald Trump. The plan, which has the backing of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages within 72 hours, the disarmament of Hamas, and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
President Trump issued an ultimatum to Hamas, giving the group “three or four days” to accept the deal. He warned that the group would “pay in hell” if they refuse. The proposal also includes a post-war transitional authority for Gaza that would be headed by Trump himself, a detail that has drawn attention from world powers, including several Arab and Muslim nations.
According to a Palestinian source close to the discussions, Hamas has not yet reached a final decision and may need several more days to respond. The source indicated that Hamas is seeking amendments to certain clauses, particularly those related to its disarmament and exclusion from future governance. The group has also requested international guarantees to ensure a full Israeli withdrawal and to prevent future ceasefire violations.
Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains dire. Gaza’s civil defence agency reported at least 13 people were killed in strikes on Wednesday, including six in a school being used as a shelter and seven members of a single family. The Israeli military said it is looking into the reports.
For residents, the constant bombardment offers little reprieve. “The explosions do not stop,” said Rabah Al-Halabi, 60, who is sheltering at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. “We are waiting for death, or perhaps relief from God and for the truce to come.”
The Israeli military also announced the closure of the last remaining route for residents in southern Gaza to access the north, further complicating movement within the besieged territory.
Internal divisions within Hamas appear to be shaping its response. A source familiar with the negotiations in Doha said there are “two opinions” within the group. One faction supports unconditional approval to secure an immediate ceasefire, trusting Trump’s guarantees and mediator assurances. The other has serious reservations, rejecting disarmament and any expulsion of Palestinians, and favors a conditional approval that reflects the demands of Hamas and other resistance factions.
The conflict, triggered by Hamas’s October 7th attack on Israel, has resulted in significant casualties. Israeli figures report 1,219 deaths, mostly civilians, from the initial attack. According to health officials in Hamas-run Gaza, Israel’s subsequent offensive has killed 66,097 Palestinians, also mostly civilians, and reduced much of the territory to rubble.
