What we know so far as Donald Trump’s Gaza deal deadline approaches

US President Donald Trump has warned Hamas will “pay in hell” if they don’t agree to the ceasefire plan.

A deadline for Hamas to accept a peace plan laid out by the White House is fast approaching, after United States President Donald Trump delivered an ultimatum to the Palestinian group.

Earlier this week, the White House released a 20-point plan for peace in Gaza, as well as releasing hostages held by Hamas and outlining the Palestinian enclave’s future.

Speaking alongside Trump at the White House, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the proposal but added that Israel was still prepared to “finish the job by itself” if Hamas rejected or countered it.

Hamas was notably absent from the release of the Trump-Netanyahu Gaza plan, raising doubts over whether the group will endorse it.

On Tuesday, Trump gave Hamas — the Palestinian political and military group that rules Gaza — an ultimatum of “three or four days” to accept his plan to end the war in Gaza “for their own good” or face severe consequences.

He reasserted the threat later in the week.

“We have one signature that we need, and that signature will pay in hell if they don’t sign,” Trump said.

World powers, including Arab and majority Muslim nations, welcomed the proposal, but Hamas had yet to issue a response as it reviewed the terms.

United Nations secretary-general António Guterres called on Tuesday for “all parties” to commit to the peace plan for Gaza presented by Trump.

Gutteres “once again reiterates his call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire”, spokesperson Farhan Haq said in a statement.