The decision was announced in a formal statement released late Thursday evening by a senior Hamas official, just as the "three-to-four-day" deadline set by the U.S. President was expiring.
Rejection Cites Failure to Meet "Minimum Demands"
In its official declaration, Hamas stated that the U.S.-backed plan "does not meet the minimum demands" of the Palestinian people. The group's primary objections centered on two key pillars of the proposal:
The lack of a guaranteed, complete, and unconditional Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
The requirement for the disarmament of Hamas and other Palestinian factions.
The Hamas statement went on to describe the American ultimatum as a form of "threat and imposition," asserting that they would not agree to a peace that did not secure a full end to the Israeli presence in the territory.
U.S. Expresses "Deep Disappointment" as Tensions Soar
The reaction from Washington was swift and sharp. The White House immediately issued a statement expressing "deep disappointment" with Hamas's decision.
"Hamas has rejected a path to peace that was supported by Israel and key Arab and Islamic nations," the statement read. "We will now consult with our allies on the next steps."
This rejection triggers the dire consequences outlined by the U.S. President when he first issued the ultimatum. He had previously warned that if Hamas refused the deal, it would lead to a "very sad outcome" and that Israel would have his "full backing" to "finish the job."
The collapse of the peace initiative, which followed days of intense, behind-the-scenes pressure from mediators in Egypt and Qatar, has effectively ended the current diplomatic track. Regional analysts now predict that the situation is set to become extremely tense, with a high probability of a significant military escalation in the coming days.