(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.
Ceasefire plan welcomed
The Palestinian government says it is on board with the proposal and agrees to U.S. reform demands.
Trump declined to take questions
While waiting for signatures on the deal, Trump declined to take questions from the press, something unusual for the normally verbose president.
Netanyahu speaks of changes to Gaza
The prime minister spoke of reforms, including changing Palestinian textbooks and ending “media incitement.”
If Hamas does not agree, Netanyahu said Israel would “finish the job.”
Israel withdrawal from Gaza
Although the plan released by the Trump administration spoke of an immediate end to Israeli military activity, Netanyahu said that if Hamas accepts the deal, there will be a “modest withdrawal.”
Netanyahu said further withdrawal would be contingent on Hamas demilitarization.
He also said Israel would remain inside the security perimeter.
Netanyahu praises Trump
“You are the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House,” Netanyahu said.
He called the plan a critical step toward peace in the Middle East, praising Trump’s leadership abroad.
Netanyahu said he supports the plan, which will achieve Israel’s aims of getting hostages back, removing Hamas from leadership and destroying the military capacity of Hamas.
He also praised Israeli soldiers who have been fighting in Gaza.
Hamas needs to accept deal
Trump thanked Arab partners on the deal.
He urged Hamas to accept the “very fair” deal.
Trump also spoke of reaching an agreement soon so time was not wasted on something that would not happen.
He also referenced discussions at the UN as the plan was developed.
“Everybody wanted to be a part of it,” Trump said.
Trump emphasizes need to work with Israel
Trump said that countries that have worked with Israel have succeeded more than those that have opposed the state.
He stated that Israel is not going anywhere and the region needs to develop relationships with the country.
Trump also spoke about a call between Netanyahu and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
Trump on UN speech
Amid talks of peace in the Middle East, Trump returned to his annoyance with the UN after a teleprompter was not working during his speech.
The president gave a speech off the cuff, which he noted during Monday’s remarks.
In a familiar refrain, Trump attacked his predecessors, saying that President Joe Biden could not have spoken extemporaneously like that.
Trump suggests Iran could become involved with peace agreements
As he spoke about the Middle East, Trump touted his decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem rather than Tel Aviv.
The ownership of Jerusalem is contested, with both Israel and Palestinians staking claim to the city.
Trump also suggested that Iran could become involved in the Abraham Accords, which he negotiated during his first term.
It appeared to be a statement that could open the door for talks to Iran, though the commitments the country would need to make to engage in diplomacy were not stated.
Board of Peace creation
Trump will head the board, which he said in the press conference was not at his request.
He said there would be other distinguished leaders on the board, who would be named over the next few days.
“Everybody wants to be on it now,” Trump said.
Trump’s peace proposal
Under Trump’s plan, Gaza will be redeveloped.
If both sides agree, the plan includes the immediate cessation of Israeli military activity in the Gaza Strip and 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 UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
A Trump economic development plan would be created by a panel of as yet unnamed 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.
Peace proposal for Gaza
President Donald Trump said they are “very close” to peace in the Middle East, what he called “eternal peace” in the region.
Ending wars was part of Trump’s campaign plan, though achieving peace deals for both Gaza and Ukraine has been more difficult than Trump initially suggested.
Both Israel and Hamas will have to agree to the plan for it to go into effect.