US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have jointly unveiled a new peace plan aimed at ending the Gaza war, warning that Hamas must accept the terms or face continued Israeli military action.
Key Elements of the Plan
Speaking at a White House press conference, Trump described the proposal as “a historic day for peace.”
The 20-point plan, handed to Hamas via Qatari and Egyptian mediators, includes:
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Immediate Ceasefire: Israeli military operations to halt, with both sides freezing current battle lines.
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Hostage Exchange: Hamas to release 20 living Israeli hostages and the remains of more than two dozen others within 72 hours. In return, Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
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Remains-for-Remains Clause: For every Israeli hostage’s body returned, Israel will release the remains of 15 Palestinians.
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Governance of Gaza: Hamas will play no role in Gaza’s administration. Instead, a temporary “technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee” will govern, supervised by a new international transitional body called the Board of Peace, to be chaired by Trump. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is expected to serve on the body.
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Aid and Reconstruction: Once the deal is accepted, humanitarian aid will immediately flow into Gaza. A major “economic development plan” will be launched to rebuild infrastructure.
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Disarmament: Hamas must surrender heavy weapons, tunnels, and production sites.
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Territorial Assurances: Israel commits not to occupy or annex Gaza, with its forces withdrawing in stages.
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Path to Statehood: The plan leaves open the possibility of a future Palestinian state, integrating Gaza with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.
“If Hamas rejects this plan, Israel will finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas—with the full backing of the United States,” Trump warned.
Netanyahu echoed the message: “Israel will finish the job if Hamas refuses or fails to comply.”
Regional and International Response
The Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, praised Trump’s efforts as “sincere and determined.” In a statement, it reaffirmed its commitment to work with Washington, Arab states, and international partners to end the war, ensure aid delivery, and secure prisoner and hostage releases.
A joint statement by the foreign ministers of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan welcomed the plan, stressing it should lead toward a “two-state solution, under which Gaza is fully integrated with the West Bank in a Palestinian state.”
European leaders also expressed cautious optimism:
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Hamas to accept the plan and “end the misery.”
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EU Council President Antonio Costa said all sides must “seize this moment to give peace a genuine chance.”
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French President Emmanuel Macron praised the initiative as a path toward “lasting peace based on the two-state solution.”
Hamas’s Position
Hamas officials confirmed receiving the White House plan but expressed reservations.
A senior Hamas leader told the BBC:
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“The weapons of the resistance are a red line as long as the occupation continues.”
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Any discussion of disarmament, he said, must be part of a broader political solution guaranteeing a sovereign Palestinian state on 1967 borders.
Context and Tensions
The announcement comes days after Netanyahu delivered a combative speech at the UN General Assembly, denouncing Western recognition of a Palestinian state as a “mark of shame.” His remarks prompted dozens of diplomats to walk out in protest.
While Trump has been a staunch supporter of Netanyahu since returning to the White House, reports suggest growing frustration within Washington over Israel’s recent actions, including a controversial strike in Qatar that killed a Qatari serviceman. Netanyahu personally phoned the Qatari prime minister to express regret.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Since Israel launched its military campaign following Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack, the death toll in Gaza has risen to at least 66,055, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
The UN recently confirmed famine in Gaza City, and earlier this month, a UN inquiry concluded that Israel had committed genocide—an allegation Israel strongly denies.
Conclusion
The Trump-Netanyahu plan may represent the most concrete peace effort since the war began nearly two years ago. With Arab states, Europe, and the Palestinian Authority signaling cautious support, the focus now shifts to Hamas’s response.
If accepted, the plan could halt one of the deadliest conflicts in recent Middle Eastern history and lay the groundwork for a renewed push toward a two-state solution. If rejected, the war—and its devastating humanitarian toll—will continue.
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