US officials are in a race against time to finalize a Gaza peace deal, emphasizing the need to see progress “very quickly” before the fragile consensus evaporates. With the agreement “90 per cent done,” the final push is on to settle the remaining details without delay.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio articulated this sense of urgency, stating that the U.S. would know “very quickly” whether Hamas is serious about its commitment. The implication is that there is little patience for prolonged debate over the final logistical arrangements for the hostage release.
The push for speed is a strategic choice. The longer negotiations drag on, the greater the risk of a spoiler event—such as a security incident or a political challenge—derailing the entire process. President Donald Trump is keen to secure a swift diplomatic win.
The core of the deal—a hostage release for an Israeli pullback to the “yellow line”—is on the table. Hamas has given its provisional assent. The current technical talks are meant to be a rapid-fire process to iron out the “how” and “when,” not to reopen debate on the “what.”
This race against time is underscored by President Trump’s stark warning to Hamas. The tight deadline for cooperation, backed by a severe threat, is designed to force a conclusion and prevent the diplomatic momentum from fading away.