U.S. President Donald Trump and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a 20 point Gaza Peace Plan at the White House [Image by The Financial Times]
(The Post News) – US President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled a 20-point strategy to put an end to the Gaza war, saying that he is “very close” to bringing about peace following almost two years of fierce fighting. Standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Trump declared that his plan offers the “best chance” for a sustained ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the reconstruction of Gaza.
The plan, presented to Arab leaders during last week’s UN General Assembly, was formally presented on Monday to Hamas negotiators by Egyptian and Qatari representatives. It demands a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and demilitarization of Hamas, along with the establishment of a transitional governing authority led by an international agency.
Key Elements of the 20-Point Gaza Plan
Immediate ceasefire: Military intervention would stop once both parties agree. Release of hostages: Hamas would need to release surviving and deceased Israeli hostages within 72 hours.
Prisoner exchange: Israel would release 250 life-sentence prisoners and 1,700 other prisoners in custody, all children and women arrested since October 7, 2023. Humanitarian relief: Huge relief supplies under UN and Red Crescent observation would flow into Gaza. Transitional government: A Palestinian technocratic committee would govern Gaza with oversight by an international “Board of Peace” led by Trump and made up of former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
International Stabilization Force (ISF): There would be a multinational security force, supported by Jordan and Egypt, which would police the Palestinian police and man the border. And, economic reconstruction: Trump vowed a substantial development program to restore Gaza, based on the “thriving modern miracle cities” of the Middle East.
Netanyahu was in support of the plan but voiced vehement opposition to future domination. He excluded any such short-term role for the Palestinian Authority (PA) and insisted that Gaza be ruled without Hamas and the PA unless the latter undergoes “radical reform.”
“If Hamas rejects your plan … or if they accept it and then sabotage it, Israel will finish the job on its own,” Netanyahu warned. The Israeli prime minister doubled down subsequently in a video message, indicating that Israel’s forces would remain in most of Gaza despite a new deal.
Trump Issues Ultimatum to Hamas
Trump issued a blunt warning, offering Hamas “three or four days” to sign up. Speaking to U.S. military commanders at Quantico, Virginia, he said, “We have one signature that we need, and that signature will pay in hell if they don’t sign.” He emphasized that Israel would have his “full backing” to continue its campaign in case Hamas rejects the offer or violates it.
The proposal garnered broad international support. Its leaders, including those of Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, and Pakistan, all expressed willingness to back the accord. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan praised Trump for “ending the bloodshed,” while Qatar claimed it had presented the initiative to Hamas leaders in Doha and was “hopeful” of a response.
The Palestinian Authority applauded Washington’s “sincere and determined efforts,” although Hamas allies like Islamic Jihad called the plan “impossible” and pro-Israel.
Meanwhile, while the peace plan was making its rounds, Israel’s military kept pushing. Tuesday’s airstrikes killed a minimum of 31 Palestinians, including children and women, hospitals in Gaza reported. Another 15 died when Israeli troops allegedly opened fire near a distribution center, aid groups said.
The Gaza Health Ministry reports that over 66,000 Palestinians have been killed since hostilities broke out in October 2023, and famine and malnutrition have caused over 450 deaths, 150 of them children. Hamas has begun internal discussions but is yet to formally submit a response. Pundits say that pressure from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey can be the tipping point. Should Hamas reject, Israel’s attack is to continue, with Trump saying the U.S. would be unconditionally supportive.
The risks are still vast: a possible breakthrough that will bring an end to one of the region’s deadliest conflicts in decades, or a failure that will bury Gaza further in ruins.
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