Washington (TDI): US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had thrown his support behind Washington’s new peace proposal aimed at ending the nearly two-year conflict in Gaza. The plan, however, now hinges on whether Hamas will agree to its terms.
Standing beside Netanyahu at the White House, Trump stressed that the effort went beyond Gaza. “This is part of the bigger picture, peace across the Middle East. Let’s call it eternal peace,” he said.
The president credited leaders from Arab and Muslim countries, along with European allies, for supporting the proposal. He singled out Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, noting that Islamabad had publicly endorsed the initiative.
Earlier in the day, Shehbaz had welcomed Trump’s 20-point framework on social media, calling it a potential breakthrough for regional stability. He praised Trump and his envoy Steve Witkoff for “serious efforts” to end nearly two years of conflict, while also reaffirming support for a two-state solution.
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According to Trump, the plan requires Hamas to release all hostages within 72 hours of acceptance. In return, Arab and Muslim nations would oversee the rapid demilitarization of Gaza and the dismantling of Hamas’ military network, including tunnels and arms facilities.
A transitional Gaza authority would work with international partners to set a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces. Local police would be trained under a new US-backed International Stabilization Force (ISF), tasked with securing Gaza’s borders and ensuring aid and reconstruction materials flowed in without weapons.
Trump warned Hamas against rejecting the proposal. “If they say no, which is possible, Bibi knows he has my full backing to do what he needs to do,” he said.
Hamas officials confirmed receiving the plan through Qatari and Egyptian mediators in Doha.
A joint statement by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Qatar and Egypt welcomed Trump’s leadership and pledged to work constructively toward implementation.
Trump also announced the creation of a new international oversight mechanism, the “Board of Peace”, to supervise the agreement. He suggested the body would include Arab and Israeli representatives, alongside international figures such as former UK prime minister Tony Blair.
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The World Bank, he said, would assist in recruiting experts to form a new Palestinian-led administration in Gaza. “Hamas and other terror groups will have no role in governance,” he added.
Netanyahu, while still opposed to recognizing a Palestinian state, told Trump that Israelis wanted to see hostages freed and fighting ended. He also issued an apology to Qatar for a recent Israeli strike in Doha, assuring its leadership that such actions would not be repeated.
Trump hinted that the plan could even pave the way for Iran’s inclusion in the Abraham Accords. “I always believed they could be part of it,” he remarked.
“This agreement,” Trump concluded, “is designed to bring lasting peace, and perhaps the chance to finally let the people of the region take charge of their destiny.”
