WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM, Sept 29 – President Donald Trump announced on Monday, that he had secured the agreement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a U.S-backed peace plan aimed at ending the nearly two-year war in Gaza. While the deal marked a significant diplomatic step, the absence of Hamas from the negotiations has cast serious doubt over its potential success.
Speaking alongside Netanyahu at the White House, Trump described the effort as “beyond very close” to achieving peace in the war-torn enclave. He warned, however, that if Hamas rejected the deal, Israel would have America’s full support to respond with force. The plan seeks to halt ongoing hostilities through a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a phased Israeli withdrawal, while setting the stage for international involvement in Gaza’s governance.
Details of the Proposed Peace Plan
The White House released a 20-point framework outlining the initiative. Key elements include an immediate ceasefire, an exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israel, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the eventual disarmament of Hamas. The proposal also calls for the creation of a transitional governing body led by an international committee, removing Hamas from political control.
Trump had entered the meeting with Netanyahu seeking to overcome the Israeli leader’s concerns about certain aspects of the plan. Questions remain over issues such as the future of Palestinian statehood, which Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected, and whether the Palestinian Authority will play any meaningful role in post-war Gaza.
At the press conference, Trump thanked Netanyahu “for agreeing to the plan and for trusting in our ability to finally bring an end to decades of bloodshed.” Netanyahu, standing beside him, endorsed the proposal as meeting Israel’s war objectives. “It will bring back our hostages, dismantle Hamas’ military infrastructure, end its political authority, and guarantee that Gaza will never again be a threat to Israel,” he said.
Yet, without Hamas at the table, the viability of the plan remains uncertain. The Islamist movement, which initiated the conflict with its October 7, 2023 attack, still holds dozens of hostages. A Hamas official said the group had not received the proposal directly, but mediators in Qatar and Egypt confirmed they had shared the document. Hamas has reportedly pledged to review it “in good faith” before issuing a formal response.
Leadership Strains and War’s Toll
The stakes for both leaders are high. For Netanyahu, the deal offers an opportunity to ease domestic pressure from hostage families and a war-weary public, while also reinforcing Israel’s strategic relationship with Washington. However, agreeing to concessions risks backlash from far-right members of his governing coalition who oppose compromise with Palestinians.
For Trump, the initiative represents a renewed push to fulfill his campaign promise of swiftly ending the Gaza conflict. His administration presented the plan last week to Arab and Muslim leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Trump has framed the deal as a historic opportunity, though critics point out that his previous diplomatic efforts, such as attempts to negotiate a Ukraine ceasefire, have delivered less than promised.
The Palestinian Authority has cautiously welcomed the U.S. proposal and expressed willingness to work with international partners toward a comprehensive resolution. However, the question of Palestinian statehood continues to divide parties. The plan suggests a gradual path toward statehood tied to redevelopment and governance reforms, but Netanyahu has made clear he will not accept such an outcome.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll of the war continues to mount. Israel’s recent offensives have devastated much of Gaza, displacing hundreds of thousands of residents and leaving basic infrastructure in ruins. Gaza health authorities estimate that more than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, while Israeli officials say Hamas’ initial assault claimed 1,200 lives and led to the capture of 251 hostages.
The U.S. proposal attempts to address the post-war period by creating a technocratic Palestinian committee to manage Gaza’s day-to-day services, under the supervision of an international “board of peace.” According to the White House, this board would be chaired by Trump himself and include international figures such as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. A stabilization force, composed of Arab partners and other global leaders, would also be deployed to oversee security during the transitional phase.
Analysts remain cautious about the prospects for success. Steven Cook, a senior fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations, noted that the plan could represent the closest step toward ending the war but emphasized that “the Qataris must push Hamas, and Netanyahu must convince his security cabinet.” The interplay of regional and domestic politics, he warned, could still derail progress.