WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump secured the backing of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday for a U.S.-sponsored peace initiative aimed at ending the nearly two-year war in Gaza, but doubts remain over whether Hamas will accept the plan.
At a joint White House press conference, Trump said they were “beyond very close” to reaching peace in Gaza, but warned Hamas that Israel would have full U.S. support to act if the group rejects the proposal.
The White House released a 20-point plan that includes an immediate ceasefire, a hostage-for-prisoner exchange, staged Israeli withdrawals, Hamas disarmament, and the establishment of a transitional government led by an international body.
Netanyahu voiced support, declaring: “I support your plan to end the war in Gaza, which achieves our war aims. It will bring back to Israel all our hostages, dismantle Hamas’ military capabilities, end its political rule, and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.”
Hamas has yet to issue a formal response. A Hamas official told Reuters: “Hamas hasn’t yet received the plan officially, nothing beyond media publication.” Later, an official briefed on the talks said Qatar and Egypt had shared the document with Hamas, which indicated it would review it “in good faith” before responding.
The proposal envisions a ceasefire followed by the release of remaining hostages within 72 hours in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. It also outlines a gradual Israeli withdrawal, a technocratic Palestinian committee to manage day-to-day governance, and an international “board of peace” chaired by Trump, with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair among its members.
Questions remain over issues such as eventual Palestinian statehood, which Netanyahu has firmly rejected, and the role of the Palestinian Authority. The PA welcomed Trump’s efforts and reiterated its readiness to cooperate with the U.S. and partners, according to WAFA news agency.
Trump criticized recent moves by Western nations at the United Nations to recognize Palestinian statehood, calling them an undeserved “prize for Hamas.”
The initiative marks Trump’s latest attempt to push forward a Middle East peace deal after earlier efforts failed to produce results. Netanyahu, facing pressure from hostage families and a weary Israeli public, risks political fallout from far-right members of his coalition if they perceive the plan as too conciliatory.
Steven Cook, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said progress is possible but challenges remain. “The Qataris now must put the screws to Hamas and Netanyahu needs to sell to his security cabinet,” he noted.
The war began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and led to the capture of 251 hostages. Israel says Hamas still holds 48 hostages, including 20 alive. Gaza health authorities report more than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military response.
Israel launched one of its largest offensives this month, with Netanyahu vowing to eliminate Hamas completely. The fighting has left much of Gaza in ruins, deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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