US President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled a 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza, claiming that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had given his backing. Speaking at a press conference following their meeting in Washington, Trump said the plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, followed by disarmament of Hamas and a phased Israeli withdrawal.
The US President said Hamas must agree to the 20 points he has proposed that include conditions it has already publicly rejected, or else he will give Israel a green-light to eliminate all of Hamas. he said that if Hamas rejected the proposal, “Israel would have my full backing to finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas.”
Trump’s proposal now encourages Palestinians to remain in Gaza and offers them “the opportunity to build a better Gaza.” This marks a major shift from his February plan, when he suggested Gazans should leave the enclave to allow for reconstruction, an idea critics called completely unrealistic.
Trump emphasised that the plan had been circulated to Arab leaders and expressed hope that Hamas would approve it. “Approval from all sides is beyond very close,” he said. The plan outlines that if both sides agree, “the war will immediately end” with Israeli troop withdrawals timed to coincide with the release of the last hostages held by Hamas. During the initial period, there would be a ceasefire.
Key components of the plan include the deployment of a “temporary international stabilization force” and the creation of a transitional authority headed by Trump. Hamas militants would be required to fully disarm and be excluded from future government roles. Those who agreed to “peaceful co-existence” would be granted amnesty. Following the Israeli withdrawal, borders would be opened to allow humanitarian aid and investment.
A significant departure from Trump’s earlier proposals is that Palestinians would not be forced to leave Gaza. Instead, the plan states, “we will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.”
Trump, who met key Arab leaders at the United Nations last week, highlighted the broad support he claims to have secured, posting on social media Sunday that “ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER.” However, Netanyahu has previously offered little reason for optimism, vowing in a UN speech on Friday to “finish the job” against Hamas and rejecting Palestinian statehood recently recognized by several Western nations.
Trump’s relationship with Netanyahu has been complicated by recent developments, including Israeli strikes against Hamas members in Qatar, a key US ally. The president also warned Netanyahu against annexing parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a move some cabinet ministers have advocated that could complicate Palestinian statehood efforts. Netanyahu’s coalition, supported by far-right ministers opposed to a peace deal, adds further complexity to the plan’s prospects.
Netanyahu backs Trump’s plan, with conditions
At a joint press conference, Netanyahu expressed conditional support for the proposal. “I support your plan to end the war in Gaza which achieves our war aims. It will bring back to Israel all our hostages, dismantle Hamas's military capabilities, end its political rule and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel,” he said.
However, he made clear that Israel would act independently if Hamas did not comply. “If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr. President, or if they supposedly accepted and then basically do everything to counter it, then Israel will finish the job by itself,” Netanyahu said. He added, “This can be done the easy way or the hard way.”
Netanyahu also indicated that even if Hamas agreed to the White House proposal, Israel would withdraw its troops from Gaza only partially, keeping forces “in the security perimeter for the foreseeable future.”
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