Last week, the Trump administration announced its Middle East Peace Plan to end the nearly two-year war between Israel and Hamas.
Trump says Israel agrees to a plan to end the war in Gaza
President Donald Trump said he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have reached a contract to end the war in Gaza. Does Hamas agree?
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed to a peace plan that will lead to the release of hostages, end the war and put Gaza under new management.
The two leaders proposed the announcement as a major breakthrough in the conflict, where previous ceasefires plunged and regional tensions surged as Israel continues its punishment campaign that sparked international outrage over the deaths of civilians and humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
Its implementation is subject to support from Hamas, saying Hamas has not yet received the plan. Trump said at a White House event that if Hamas were not accepted, Israel would fully support us in continuing its military operations in Gaza.
“This can be done in a simple way or the hard way, but you can. We like simple things, but we have to do that,” Netanyahu said.
Under the plan Trump proposed on September 29, the war will end, and Hamas will be released within 72 hours of the remaining hostages in Gaza, filmed nearly two years ago during the terrorist attacks on Israel.
Gaza has also been redeveloped and is chosen by Palestinians who want to stay for Palestinians to stay. Hamas fighters will get pardon and the territory will come under temporary governance by a new Palestinian commission, which will be overseen by the “Committee of Peace.” Trump personally chaired the panel along with other foreign leaders, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
“We feel we have a positive answer, but if we don’t, you’ll have our full support to do what you have to do, as you know,” Trump told Israeli leaders.
Trump last week presented his plan to the Arab leaders privately and to pressure the increasingly isolated Israel to end the war that began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
Since then, Israel has leveled out the large strip of Gaza. An estimated 66,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. The dire situation in Gaza has sparked international backlash, urging several Western countries to recognize the Palestinian state against the United States and Israel.
The conference also produced another development that could help with peace negotiations. Amid the call between Trump and Qatar’s Prime Minister, Netanyahu expressed regret over Qatar’s missile strike against Hamas, which killed Qatar soldiers. Netanyahu further expressed regret over violating Qatar’s sovereignty and said Israel would not take a strike in Qatar again, the White House said in a statement.
Israel carried out an airstrike on September 9th targeting Hamas political leaders in Qatar’s Doha. Six people were killed, including five Hamas members.
Netanyahu visited the White House for the fourth time this year, sought to strengthen support from key allies amid a fierce push to stop conflict by world leaders. The UK, Canada, Australia and France all recognized the Palestinian state this month, infuriating Netanyahu, who denounced the move during a fierce UN speech. Many representatives left during their speech, where he strengthened his opposition to an independent Palestinian state.
The US has been strongly supportive of Israel’s response to the October 7 attack, but Trump is becoming more and more annoyed as the conflict drags on. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Netanyahu on September 27th to hash details of the peace plan.
A pivotal aspect of Israel’s plan: releases about 48 hostages believed to be in Gaza, with around 20 still alive. The plan also includes the release of 250 life-row inmates in Israel, 1,700 detainees and 15 deceased Gazaan bodies.
At a meeting with Netanyahu in February, Trump proposed that the US take over Gaza, relocate around 2 million Palestinians to neighboring Arab countries, and redevelop the war-torn enclave into the “Middle Eastern Riviera.” According to his plans, Gaza residents will be encouraged to stay and provide “the opportunity to build a better Gaza.”
Contribution: Reuters
This story has been updated to add new information.
