President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled a comprehensive 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the ongoing war in Gaza, while assuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel would have “full backing” from the United States should Hamas reject the proposal.
The announcement came during a joint address in Washington following a private meeting between Trump and Netanyahu, where the leaders discussed the Gaza conflict and efforts to ease tensions with Qatar after an Israeli airstrike on Hamas targets in the country.
Trump expressed optimism that Hamas would respond positively to the plan, which calls for the organization to be entirely removed from Gaza’s governance. “Should Hamas resist, Israel would have my full backing to finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas,” Trump said. “Bibi, you’d have our full backing to do what you would have to do.”
Netanyahu welcomed the plan as a major step toward ending the war in Gaza and establishing lasting peace in the region. He outlined Israel’s timeline for implementing the plan if Hamas agrees, stating that “Hamas will be disarmed, Gaza will be demilitarized, and Israel will retain security responsibility, including a security perimeter for the foreseeable future.” Netanyahu also emphasized that Gaza would be governed by a civilian administration independent of both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.
Key provisions of the Trump plan include:
Immediate Release of Hostages: Hamas must release all hostages, living and deceased. In exchange, Israel would begin a phased withdrawal from Gaza and release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Humanitarian Aid: Aid would flow into Gaza without interference, with protections in place to ensure access to civilians.
Hamas Fighters: Those willing to peacefully coexist with Israel may remain in Gaza; those who refuse would be allowed to leave.
Governance: A “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump and including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair would oversee a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee responsible for daily municipal services. The Palestinian Authority would eventually resume governance following reforms to reduce terrorist influence.
Economic Development: Gaza would be designated a special economic zone to attract investment and rebuild the war-torn region, with no civilians forced to leave.
Security: A temporary international stabilization force, including U.S. and Arab partners, would help maintain security, support Palestinian police, secure borders, and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid.
Under the plan, Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza entirely and hand control to the international stabilization force, with no annexation or occupation of territory.
The announcement comes nearly two years after the conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters killed over 1,200 civilians and abducted more than 250 hostages, including dozens of Americans. Approximately 20 hostages remain alive, according to U.S. officials.
Ahead of the press conference, Trump, Netanyahu, and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met to repair relations between Israel and Qatar. Netanyahu apologized for the killing of a Qatari serviceman in the recent Israeli airstrike and pledged that future attacks on Qatari sovereignty would not occur. The three leaders agreed to establish a trilateral communication and coordination mechanism and discussed the details of Trump’s peace plan. Qatar, a key U.S. ally with historical ties to Hamas, has previously acted as a mediator between Israel and the group.
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