Trump, Netanyahu unveil 20-point Gaza peace plan, warn Hamas to accept deal or face 'full destruction'

“Israel would have my full backing to finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas but I hope we’re going to have a deal for peace. If Hamas rejects the deal… they’re the only one left.Everyone else has accepted it,” Trump said, speaking alongside the Israeli leader at the White House.

The plan, which Trump said has backing from key Arab nations he met on the sidelines of the United Nations last week, would see the war end immediately once both sides agree, with Israeli withdrawals linked to the release of the last hostages held by Hamas.

Inside Trump’s 20-Point Gaza Plan:

• Immediate ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal tied to hostage releases.
• Deployment of a temporary international stabilization force.
• Creation of a transitional authority headed by Trump.
• Full disarmament of Hamas; militants barred from future governance.
• Amnesty for members agreeing to peaceful co-existence.
• Post-withdrawal opening of borders for aid and investment.
• No forced displacement of Palestinians, with emphasis on rebuilding Gaza.

“This is something that has been going on for hundreds and thousands of years. At a minimum, we are very, very close, and I think beyond close,” Trump said, thanking Netanyahu for what he called “a job well done.”

Netanyahu, facing pressure from his far-right coalition partners, has vowed to “finish the job” against Hamas and rejected Palestinian statehood in a fiery UN speech last week. His cabinet includes hardliners who strongly oppose concessions.

Trump has, in recent weeks, shown flashes of frustration with Netanyahu, particularly after an Israeli strike in Qatar, a key US ally, and warned him against annexing the West Bank. Still, he emphasized his personal rapport with the Israeli leader, whom he repeatedly called “Bibi.”

In Israel, families of hostages urged Trump to press ahead: “We respectfully ask you to stand firm against any attempts to sabotage the deal you have brought forth,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.

In Gaza, reactions ranged from cautious hope to deep distrust.

“I don’t expect anything from Trump, because Trump supports Netanyahu in destroying the Gaza Strip and displacing people,” said Mohammed Abu Rabee, 34.

Israeli strikes continued Monday, with at least four people killed in Khan Yunis, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency.

Gaza war

The Gaza war was triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, which killed 1,219 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures. Israel’s retaliatory strikes and ground offensive have since devastated Gaza, drawing international pressure for a ceasefire.

The outcome of Trump’s proposal may depend on how far he can push Netanyahu, said Natan Sachs of the Middle East Institute: “Netanyahu prefers continuing the war, but it’s not impossible for Trump to convince him otherwise.”