The new US peace plan for Gaza has been welcomed by European and Middle Eastern leaders, as President Donald Trump cautioned Hamas to accept it.
Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed on a plan to propose an immediate termination of military operations.
The agreement conditions that in 72 hours, Hamas should free 20 living Israeli hostages and more than 2 dozen hostages who are thought dead, in exchange for hundreds of imprisoned Gazans.
A Palestinian source conversant with the ceasefire talks revealed to the BBC that Hamas officials have been presented with the 20-point plan by the White House.
It stipulates that Hamas will not be a part of the rule of Gaza, and keeps the potential of a Palestinian state open.
In a news conference after the negotiations at the White House, Trump referred to the plan as “a historic day for peace.”
However, he added that Netanyahu had the US support to “finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas” in case Hamas fails to agree to the plan.
Thereafter, Netanyahu responded that Israel “will finish the job” in case Hamas refuses the plan or fails to deliver on it.
The Palestinian Authority, which controls the Israeli-occupied West Bank, has described the efforts of the US president as “sincere and determined.”
The authority in a statement released by its WAFA news agency states “renews its joint commitment to work with the United States, regional states, and partners” to end the war in Gaza, secure adequate delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and release hostages and prisoners.
The Foreign Ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan, in a joint statement, welcomed Trump’s “leadership and his sincere efforts to end the war in Gaza”.
They claimed that they were willing to deal with the US to close and enact the agreement, which they asserted should result in “a two-state solution, under which Gaza is fully integrated with the West Bank in a Palestinian state.”
European Council President Antonio Costa added that he has been “encouraged by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s positive response” to the proposal. He added, “All parties must seize this moment to give peace a genuine chance.”
The proposal would begin with an immediate halt to military operations. It also states existing battle lines will remain until a phased withdrawal can occur once conditions are met.
Hamas would put down its weapons and its tunnels, and weapon production plants would be destroyed.
The plan stipulates that Israel will release the remains of 15 killed Gazans to every Israeli hostage whose remains are freed.
The plan also states that both parties will accept the offer, “full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip.” The US has also laid out its vision of how Gaza will be governed in the future.
It outlines a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee to temporarily govern Gaza, overseen by a new international transition group, the Board of Peace, led by Trump.
Sir Tony Blair, former UK PM, will join the governing body. He called the plan “bold and intelligent,” with other leaders yet to be announced.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also gave the plan a warm welcome when stating, “We call on all sides to come together and to work with the US Administration to finalise this agreement and bring it into reality.”
He further adds, “Hamas should now agree to the plan and end the misery by laying down their arms and releasing all remaining hostages.”
Emmanuel Macron, French President, said, “France stands ready to contribute” to the efforts to end the war and release hostages.” He states, “These elements must pave the way for in-depth discussions with all relevant partners to build a lasting peace in the region, based on the two-state solution.”
Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni opined that the proposal “could represent a turning point in this process,” and Italy urges all parties to seize this opportunity and accept the plan.”
The plan goes further to state that Hamas should not be involved in any way, “directly, indirectly, or in any form” in governance.
A large part of the plan has been centered on what the US refers to as an “economic development plan” to put Gaza back on its feet. It also states that “Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza” and its troops will pull out of the land gradually in phases.
Contrary to what Trump previously said, Palestinians will not be pricked out of Gaza; therefore, the document stated, “We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.” The plan also opens the door to a possible Palestinian state.
A Palestinian source well-informed on the ceasefire talks reported to the BBC, “Qatari and Egyptian officials have handed over the White House plan to end the war in Gaza to Hamas officials in Doha”, the seat of the Hamas political leadership is located.
According to the senior Hamas official, the BBC previously reported that the group was always willing to read any proposal that would lead to the end of the war in Gaza, but emphasized that any deal would have to protect the interests of the Palestinians, guarantee complete withdrawal of Israel from Gaza, and end the war.
The official was questioned about the arms of the group, and he replied: “The weapons of the resistance are a red line as long as the occupation continues.” He added, “The issue of arms can only be discussed within the framework of a political solution that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders.”
The plan was announced days after Netanyahu had criticized the acknowledgement of a Palestinian state by various Western powers through an antagonistic address to the UN General Assembly.
Netanyahu called the recognition actions a “mark of shame” that conveyed the message that “murdering Jews pays off”.
When he went to the UN podium to address dozens of officials and diplomats, he held a walkout, leaving much of the conference hall empty.
Although Trump has been an ardent supporter of Netanyahu since winning a second term at the White House, he has been growing frustrated over the actions of Israel in recent weeks.
Trump was annoyed with the recent Israeli attack on members of Hamas in the major US ally Qatar.
Before the news conference on Monday, Netanyahu had called the Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani of Qatar at the White House and relayed his apology that an Israeli missile had accidentally struck a Qatari soldier.
In response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 and left 251 more as hostages, the Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza.
Since then, at least 66,055 individuals have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in the territory.
Recently, a UN-supported organization has affirmed that famine was being experienced in Gaza City. A UN commission of inquiry concluded earlier this month that Israel had perpetrated genocide in Gaza – something strongly denied by Israel.
