Trump’s 48-Hour Ultimatum to Hamas Expires Tonight as Middle East Peace Faces First Major Test

A tense deadline looms in the Middle East tonight as former U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum to Hamas reaches its expiration. The ultimatum, issued through a late-night social media post, demanded that Hamas immediately return the bodies of deceased hostages, including two Americans, or face collective consequences from what Trump described as “other countries involved in this GREAT PEACE.”

In his statement, Trump asserted that the region currently enjoys a “very strong peace” and expressed confidence it could become “everlasting” — but only if both sides meet their obligations. He emphasized that the return of the bodies is a humanitarian and moral duty under the ongoing peace arrangements. “Some of the bodies are hard to reach,” Trump said, “but others they can return now and, for some reason, they are not.”

The former president’s message has drawn international attention, marking one of his most forceful interventions in the Middle East since leaving office. His 48-hour warning is seen as a clear signal that patience is running out with Hamas’s slow or selective compliance following the latest ceasefire agreement. Trump suggested that Hamas’s reluctance could be tied to internal issues over disarmament, hinting that the group’s leadership may be struggling to maintain control or coordinate recovery operations.

Observers believe Trump’s reference to “other countries involved in this GREAT PEACE” points to regional partners — possibly Egypt, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia — that have been part of the broader peace framework initiated during his previous administration. Diplomatic sources indicate that behind the scenes, Washington and its allies have been urging Hamas to fulfill all humanitarian commitments before deeper normalization steps can proceed.

The ultimatum also serves as a symbolic test for Trump’s vision of a unified Middle East peace architecture, which he has continued to promote as an extension of the Abraham Accords. His demand for swift compliance suggests he sees this issue not only as a moral imperative but also as a litmus test for the durability of the current truce.

As the deadline expires tonight, uncertainty surrounds what actions — if any — will follow. U.S. and regional officials have remained tight-lipped about contingency plans, though sources suggest that diplomatic pressure and potential sanctions could be on the table if Hamas fails to act.

For now, Trump’s message carries both warning and resolve: peace will be sustained only through accountability. “Both sides would be treated fairly,” he wrote, “but that only applies if they comply with their obligations.”

Whether this ultimatum solidifies peace or reignites tensions will become clear in the hours ahead, as the 48-hour clock runs out and the world watches closely for Hamas’s response.