WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump secured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s backing for a comprehensive Gaza peace plan on Monday, as both leaders warned that Israel would “finish the job” against Hamas if the Palestinian militant group rejects the proposal.
The 20-point plan, unveiled at a White House ceremony, calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages by Hamas within 72 hours, the disarmament of Hamas fighters, and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Most controversially, it proposes a post-war transitional authority to be headed by Trump himself.
“I support your plan to end the war in Gaza which achieves our war aims,” Netanyahu said during a joint press conference. “If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr President, or if they supposedly accept it and then basically do everything to counter it, then Israel will finish the job by itself.”
Trump pledged Israel would have his “full backing” if Hamas refuses the deal, while insisting that Middle East peace was “beyond very close.” He described the announcement as “potentially one of the great days ever in civilization.”
After the announcement, international response came swiftly. Eight major Arab and Muslim nations – Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan – praised the agreement’s “sincere efforts” following their own discussions with Trump last week.
European leaders from France, the UK, Germany and Italy expressed strong support, while European Union chief Antonio Costa urged all parties to “seize this moment to give peace a genuine chance.”
However, Hamas has yet to render judgment on the proposal. A senior Hamas official told AFP the group would “respond once we receive it.” Qatari and Egyptian mediators later delivered Trump’s proposal to the militant organization.
In Gaza itself, residents expressed doubt that the plan could end nearly two years of devastating conflict.
“We as a people will not accept this farce,” said Abu Mazen Nassar (52) one of 1.9 million Gazans displaced by the war.
The Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank but positioned for a role in post-war Gaza governance, welcomed Trump’s “sincere and determined efforts.”
The deal presents significant challenges for both sides. For Hamas, it demands complete disarmament and exclusion from future government roles, though militants who agree to “peaceful co-existence” would receive amnesty.
Netanyahu may also struggle to sell the agreement to far-right members of his cabinet. He stressed that Israeli forces would maintain responsibility for Gaza security “for the foreseeable future” and cast doubt on the Palestinian Authority’s involvement.
Notably, Trump’s plan leaves open the possibility of Palestinian statehood—something he acknowledged Netanyahu had “strongly objected to” during their meeting.
While Trump praised Netanyahu as a “warrior,” he has shown mounting frustration ahead of the Israeli premier’s fourth White House visit this year.
Trump was angered by Israel’s recent strike on Hamas members in Qatar, a key US ally, and warned Netanyahu against annexing the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
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During Monday’s meeting, Trump arranged for Netanyahu to call Qatar’s prime minister from the Oval Office to express “deep regret” for the strike and promise restraint going forward, according to the White House.
Other key provisions include deployment of a “temporary international stabilization force” and creation of the transitional authority to be headed by Trump and including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Blair, who remains controversial in the Middle East for his role in the 2003 Iraq war, called the plan “bold and intelligent.”
The Gaza war began with Hamas’s 7 October 2023, attack on Israel that killed 1 219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Israel’s subsequent offensive has reduced much of Gaza to rubble and killed 66 055 Palestinians, also mostly civilians, according to health ministry figures in the Hamas-run territory that the United Nations considers reliable.
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