The secretary-general of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group, Ziyad Nakhaleh, attends a news conference in Tehran, Iran, Aug. 7, 2022. Photo: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

The terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) has denounced US President Donald Trump’s peace plan to end the war in Gaza, intensifying pressure on its ally Hamas to oppose the proposal as divisions over post-war governance deepen.

PIJ Secretary-General Ziyad al-Nakhalah rejected Trump’s 20-point proposal for Gaza, which the US president unveiled on Monday, accusing it of serving only Israel’s interests.

The terrorist leader described the plan as a “formula for perpetuating the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian nation.”

“Israel aims to enforce, with the support of the United States, what it could not accomplish through military action,” al-Nakhalah said in a statement.

“Consequently, we view the US-Israeli declaration as a catalyst for escalating conflict in the region,” he continued.

Trump gave Hamas “three or four days” on Tuesday to accept the US-backed peace plan for Gaza, warning of “a very sad end” if the Palestinian terrorist group rejected the proposal.

“Hamas is either going to be doing it or not, and if it’s not, it’s going to be a very sad end,” Trump said as he left the White House. Asked whether there was room for further talks on the proposal, he replied, “Not much.”

Alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump unveiled his peace plan at the White House on Monday, calling for the release of all remaining Israeli hostages within 48 hours, the demilitarization of Gaza including the disarmament of Hamas, and the phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory.

The plan, for which Israel announced its support, outlines “a modest withdrawal” of Israeli forces, followed within 72 hours by the release of all remaining Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.

Hamas-led Palestinian terrorists from Gaza, including members of PIJ, started the current war with their Oct. 7, 2023, invasion of and massacre across southern Israel, where they murdered 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 hostages. Israel responded with a military campaign aimed at freeing the hostages and dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities and political rule in Gaza, which borders the Jewish state to the south. Currently, 48 hostages remain in captivity, and 20 of them are believed to be alive.

The process proposed by Trump would be overseen by a Board of Peace – which would include leaders from Arab countries, Israel, and the US – with a new international body responsible for disarming Hamas and managing Gaza’s demilitarization.

Although Hamas has yet to formally respond to the proposed deal, the terrorist group denounced Trump’s announcement as “an attempt to stifle international momentum and recognition of the Palestinian state.”

“We will not accept any proposal that does not include the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and protection from massacres,” Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu expressed his support for Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza, saying it “achieves our war aims.”

“If Hamas rejects US President Donald Trump’s plan, or if they supposedly accept it and then basically do everything to counter it, then Israel will finish the job by itself,” the Israeli leader said during a joint press conference at the White House.

“This can be done the easy way, or it can be done the hard way. But it will be done,” he continued.

Several Arab and European leaders have also backed Trump’s plan. The president told reporters on Tuesday that “we’re just waiting for Hamas” to make its decision.

At Monday’s press conference, Trump also warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting the proposed deal, saying he would endorse the continuation of the war.

“If Hamas rejects the deal, Bibi, you will have our full backing to finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas,” Trump said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.

The peace plan also includes amnesty for Hamas members who renounce violence, allowing them to leave the territory, and promises a major boost in humanitarian aid along with a US-backed economic development initiative to rebuild the war-torn enclave.

For its part, the Palestinian Authority (PA) welcomed Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza as the group seeks to secure a role in post-war governance.

Western powers have been negotiating with the PA on conditions for Gaza governance after Hamas is removed from power, while the PA continues to pledge reforms — a strategy experts say is unlikely to succeed given its lack of credibility and ongoing support for terrorism against Israel.

Jewish leaders have argued that these Western governments appear to be accepting the PA’s promises of reform at face value, rather than waiting to see if its behavior truly changes.

The PA, which has long been riddled with accusations of corruption, has maintained for years a so-called “pay-for-slay” program, which rewards terrorists and their families for carrying out attacks against Israelis.

During Monday’s press conference, Netanyahu reiterated that the PA would have no role in Gaza after the war unless the group undergoes significant reforms.

“The Palestinian Authority can have no role whatsoever in Gaza without undergoing a radical and genuine transformation,” the Israeli leader said.