Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan: Role of Hamas and fate of Palestinian state | Explained

Hamas excluded, disarm or face exile

US President Donald Trump released a 20-point road-map that he said could bring “an immediate end” to the Gaza war if both Israel and Hamas agree. The plan was announced in Washington following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and shared with Arab leaders during last week’s UN General Assembly.

Released on September 29, 2025, the proposal calls for hostilities to stop immediately once both sides accept the deal. Israeli forces would withdraw to an agreed line inside Gaza, while all aerial and ground operations are frozen. Within 72 hours, all hostages held by Hamas, both living and deceased, are to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

Trump described the framework as the closest step yet toward ending a war that has devastated Gaza, displaced millions, and drawn in multiple regional actors. Netanyahu backed the plan but warned Israel would “finish the job” militarily if Hamas rejected it or violated its terms.

Hostages and Prisoners: The First Stage

The first stage of the plan revolves around a massive exchange. All Israeli hostages, living or dead, would be handed back within 72 hours of Israel’s acceptance. In return, Israel would release 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained after October 7, 2023, including all women and children arrested since the conflict began. Additionally, for every deceased Israeli hostage returned, Israel will transfer the remains of 15 Palestinians killed during the war.

During this delicate process, all battle lines are to remain frozen, and bombardments suspended. The withdrawal of Israeli forces would then proceed in stages, linked to demilitarisation benchmarks.

Hamas’ Role Under the Deal

Trump’s road-map makes it clear that Hamas will have no role in Gaza’s future governance, not directly, indirectly, or through affiliated groups. This exclusion addresses a long-standing Israeli demand and reflects Trump’s insistence on creating what he calls a “terror-free zone.”

At the same time, the plan does not call for the outright elimination of Hamas members. Instead, it offers a conditional amnesty: fighters who agree to disarm and pledge peaceful co-existence may remain in Gaza. To encourage this, the proposal sets up an internationally funded buy-back and reintegration programme, allowing militants to hand over weapons in exchange for financial or social incentives.

Those unwilling to stay under such terms are promised safe passage into exile. The document says Hamas members could relocate to third countries willing to accept them, though it does not specify which nations might open their doors or whether such members would be protected from potential targeting abroad.

Enforcement includes a demilitarisation process overseen by Israel, the US, and regional guarantors. Independent monitors would supervise the dismantling of Hamas’ military infrastructure—from tunnels and rocket launch pads to weapons workshops—with the goal to “permanently place weapons beyond use.”

Hamas faces a binary choice: either transform into a disarmed political presence with no control over governance or accept exile under international arrangements. Trump’s plan stresses that Gaza’s future must be “de-radicalised” to ensure it never again poses a threat to Israel or neighbouring states.

Governance Structure Post-Conflict

A central feature of Trump’s proposal is a two-tiered transitional authority to manage Gaza once hostilities end, keeping Hamas out of politics.

• Technocratic Palestinian Committee Day-to-day administration would be handled by a “technocratic, apolitical” Palestinian committee, made up of qualified professionals supported by international experts. This body would focus on public services, including hospitals, schools, and utilities.
• The Board of Peace Above this sits the Board of Peace, chaired by Trump, tasked with setting governance frameworks, coordinating reconstruction funding, and ensuring aid is not diverted to armed groups. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has been named a member, with other heads of state expected to join.

Palestinian Authority’s Future

The transitional governance structure is intended to remain in place until the Palestinian Authority (PA) is considered sufficiently “reformed” to resume control. However, this aspect of the plan is highly contentious. Prime Minister Netanyahu has already opposed any PA involvement in Gaza without what he describes as a “radical transformation,” highlighting Israel’s enduring distrust of the West Bank-based authority.

Humanitarian Aid and Security

Humanitarian assistance is a top priority under Trump’s Gaza peace plan, set to resume immediately upon acceptance. Aid will include food, medicine, fuel, and materials for rebuilding essential infrastructure such as water, power, and sewage systems. Distribution will be overseen by the United Nations, the Red Crescent, and neutral agencies, with both Israel and Hamas barred from interference. The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt will be reopened under the mechanisms of a January 2025 humanitarian accord. Economically, the plan introduces a “Trump economic development initiative,” featuring a special economic zone with preferential tariffs, a panel of Middle East urban development experts to attract investment and create jobs, and a vision of transforming Gaza into “New Gaza,” a centre of prosperity rather than conflict.

The plan also establishes an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) to train Palestinian police, secure borders with Israel and Egypt, prevent weapons smuggling, and facilitate safe movement of goods and aid. Supported by regional guarantors, including Jordan and Egypt, the ISF will gradually assume control, allowing Israeli forces to withdraw progressively while maintaining a perimeter until Gaza is secure.

Palestinian Statehood Deferred?

The proposal does not formally recognise Palestinian statehood but presents it as a long-term aspiration. It envisions a “political horizon” for dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians once Gaza’s reconstruction and Palestinian Authority reforms are underway.

The plan ties redevelopment and institutional reforms to the eventual prospect of Palestinian self-determination. However, it stops short of securing formal recognition from the US or Israel, leaving statehood as a conditional and distant outcome rather than an immediate guarantee.

How Trump’s Roadmap Affects Gaza’s Future?

Trump’s roadmap is the most comprehensive US-led initiative since the Gaza war began, combining ceasefire terms, transitional governance, demilitarisation, humanitarian aid, and economic incentives. If implemented, it would mark Israel’s first formal staged withdrawal and transfer of security responsibilities to an international force. The plan’s success hinges on Hamas’ acceptance, Israeli political unity, and international support for reconstruction and security. Without broad compliance, key elements, including aid corridors and “terror-free zones,” may be limited to areas cleared by Israel. In the interim, Gaza would be governed by a technocratic Palestinian committee under Trump-chaired Board of Peace supervision, with potential future PA control contingent on reforms.