Washington, Sep 30 :US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today announced a 20-point plan in Washington to end the Gaza war, secure the release of hostages within 72 hours, disarm Hamas and establish a transitional governing body for the Strip.
The two leaders stood side by side at the White House on Monday to announce Israel’s agreement to an American peace plan aimed at ending the 724-day war in Gaza.
However, it remains uncertain whether Hamas, the only major party not involved in the negotiations, will accept the terms, news sites reported.
Trump laid out a 20-point proposal that he described as a “historic day for peace,” promising an immediate ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages within 72 hours of Israel’s formal approval. The plan calls for a phased Israeli withdrawal, Hamas’ disarmament, the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and the establishment of a temporary international governing body for Gaza headed by Trump and including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The plan envisions Gaza as a deradicalized, terror-free zone that no longer poses a threat to Israel or neighboring countries.
“This is a big, big day, a beautiful day, potentially one of the biggest days ever in civilization,” Trump said. “Things that have been going on for hundreds of years, and thousands of years, we’re at least very, very close — we’re beyond very close.”
He thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu for “getting in there and doing a job,” and praised Arab and Muslim leaders including those of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan and Indonesia for supporting the U.S. framework, ynetnews reported.
“If accepted by Hamas, this proposal calls for the release of all remaining hostages immediately, but in no case more than 72 hours,” Trump said.
“The hostages are coming back, and the bodies of young men are coming back immediately. This means the immediate end of the war itself, not just Gaza.” Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed Israel’s support and linked the deal to his government’s war aims. “The plan will achieve all our objectives,” he said, pledging that Hamas would be stripped of its political control and military capacity.
But he warned: “If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr. President, or if they supposedly accept it and then do everything to counter it, then Israel will finish the job by itself. This can be done the easy way or it can be done the hard way, but it will be done.”
Trump added that Arab and Muslim countries were committed to ensuring Hamas’ disarmament. “All terror infrastructure will be destroyed, including tunnels and weapons production facilities,” he said.
“Working with the new transitional authority in Gaza, all parties will agree on a timeline for Israeli forces to withdraw, in phases. No more shooting, hopefully.” At the press conference, Trump repeatedly described Netanyahu as a “fighter” and said Israel had “the full backing” of the United States if Hamas rejects the plan.
The announcement followed weeks of tensions over a September 9 Israeli strike in Doha that killed a Qatari serviceman but failed to eliminate Hamas leaders gathered in the Gulf state. The strike angered Arab capitals and prompted an unusually sharp rebuke from Washington.
During his White House visit, Netanyahu spoke by phone with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
According to the White House, Netanyahu expressed “deep regret” for violating Qatari sovereignty and promised that Israel would not conduct such an attack again. Trump described the call as a “heart-to-heart” conversation.