Trump unveils 20 point Gaza peace plan backed by Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to a 20-point plan intended to end the war in Gaza, framing the development as a “historic day for peace.”

The announcement followed high-level talks in Washington and comes amid growing international pressure to halt the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Speaking alongside Netanyahu at the White House, Trump said the plan had already received backing from other Middle Eastern and Muslim-majority leaders.

He also emphasized that the initiative could form the foundation for broader regional peace.

Still, he issued a warning that if Hamas rejects the deal, the US would stand firmly behind Israel in its efforts to dismantle the group.

“This is far more than anybody expected,” Trump said. “The level of support that I’ve had from the nations in the Middle East is extraordinary.”

Key terms of the proposal

The plan, which Hamas has not yet reviewed in detail, would end the nearly two-year war immediately if accepted by both sides.

Under its terms, all hostages and the remains of those killed would be returned within 72 hours, while Israel would release nearly 2,000 prisoners.

Israel also pledged not to occupy or annex Gaza as part of the agreement.

The proposal underscores humanitarian and economic priorities, including allowing residents of Gaza to remain in place and resuming aid flows.

A “panel of experts” would be tasked with rebuilding and energizing Gaza’s economy through development initiatives.

A central feature of the agreement is the exclusion of Hamas from future governance.

Instead, Gaza would be administered by a technocratic, non-political Palestinian committee responsible for delivering essential public services.

Oversight would be provided by a “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump and supported by international leaders, including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The terms also reference the potential creation of conditions favorable to a Palestinian state, though without setting a specific timeline.

Regional diplomacy and challenges ahead

The proposal follows a sensitive diplomatic backdrop.

Earlier on Monday, Trump arranged a call in which Netanyahu expressed regret to Qatar’s prime minister over an Israeli strike in Doha that killed a Qatari serviceman.

The strike, intended to target Hamas leaders, strained relations between Israel and Gulf states, complicating US efforts to mediate.

Qatar, home to the largest US military base in the Middle East, has played a central role in negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

Trump’s approach balances steadfast support for Israel with growing frustration over Netanyahu’s military strategy.

He has repeatedly demanded the release of hostages taken during Hamas’s October 2023 assault, while also cautioning against steps such as annexing the West Bank that could destabilize regional diplomacy and hinder prospects for normalization with Gulf states.

While the White House is presenting the 20-point plan as a pathway to peace, implementation will hinge on Hamas’s response.

The group has said it has yet to see the full details and will need to study the proposal.

For now, the agreement highlights Washington’s increasing pressure on Israel to pursue a ceasefire while keeping open the prospect of longer-term regional stabilization.