(NewsNation) — President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have announced a peace proposal for Gaza, though Hamas must agree to the plan in order to move forward.
Trump and Netanyahu laid out the peace plan at a news conference Monday and Palestine’s government in the occupied West Bank, along with Arab countries, said they support it. The proposal was unveiled after global calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and a tense speech by Netanyahu Friday at the United Nations General Assembly.
Trump called the deal “a chance for greatness in the Middle East” Sunday and said “all are on board for something special, first time ever.”
Gaza peace proposal
Under Trump’s plan, as released by the White House, Gaza will be redeveloped. If both sides agree, the plan includes the immediate cessation of Israeli military activity in the Gaza Strip and a freeze on battle lines in preparation for a complete withdrawal.
Netanyahu, speaking to reporters, said that if Hamas agreed to the deal, there would be a “modest withdrawal” and further removal of Israeli troops would be contingent on demilitarization.
Hamas will return all hostages within 72 hours, including the bodies of dead hostages. In return, Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences and 1,700 Palestinians who were detained after Oct. 7.
Hamas members who surrender and give up weapons will be given amnesty and passage to another country. Full aid to the Gaza Strip will resume when the deal is agreed to.
Gaza would be governed under a temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee.
The committee would be supervised by an international committee known as the “Board of Peace,” to be headed by Trump with other foreign leaders, including former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair.
A Trump economic development plan would be created by a panel of experts. A special economic zone with preferred tariff and access rates would be negotiated.
Under the deal, no one would be forced to leave Gaza, but those who wish to would be free to go and return. Hamas would not be allowed to play any role in the governance of Gaza, and there would be a demilitarization process.
According to the plan, if Hamas rejects the deal, it will proceed in “terror-free” areas handed over by the Israel Defense Force.
If the deal is followed, the plan says it could open up a credible pathway for Palestinian statehood.
While Hamas has not yet agreed to the deal, Trump has said he believes they’re close.
‘We need you’: Hostage families hope for ceasefire
The families of Israeli hostages were watching the talks closely as 48 people remain in captivity in Gaza. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents most of the families, has urged Trump to push the ceasefire deal across the finish line.
In a letter ahead of Monday’s meeting, the group thanked Trump for his efforts and said it was pleased with his continued support.
“We are grateful, and dependent on your strength and the strength and awesome power of the United States of America,” the group wrote. “Please, Mr. President, don’t stop. We need you. 48 of our loved ones – our fathers, siblings, children – need you. We need our loved ones home.”
Netanyahu has faced criticism from those families, who have argued that the hostages’ return is not the top-of-mind concern for the administration.
The group set up a display outside the U.S. Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv, featuring the message “Don’t Be Fooled Again” alongside caricatures of Trump and Netanyahu.
The war in Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas stormed into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Approximately 48 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive, are still being held by Hamas.