US president Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Monday that they have agreed on a framework to end the war in Gaza. The plan, however, hinges on whether Hamas will accept its terms.
Trump laid out a 20-point proposal to end the Israel-Hamas war and establishing a transitional administration in the region.
Addressing a joint White House press conference with Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said, “I think we are beyond very close. We’re not quite finished. We have to get Hamas.”
The proposal does not call for Palestinians to leave Gaza. It calls for the release of all remaining hostages within 72 hours if Hamas agrees to the deal, and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces once the terms are in place. The plan also includes an international “Board of Peace” to monitor compliance.
Trump said Israel would have Washington’s “full backing” if Hamas refused to cooperate. “If Hamas rejects the plan, Israel has my full support to defeat Hamas,” he said.
Netanyahu also repeated the warning, saying, “If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr. President, or if they supposedly accept it and then basically 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.”
NETANYAHU SUPPORTS TRUMP’S PLAN
Netanyahu praised Trump for pushing forward a deal, saying it aligned with Israel’s war goals. “I support your plan to end the war in Gaza, which achieves our war aims. It will bring back to Israel all our hostages, dismantle Hamas military capabilities and its political rule and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel,” Netanyahu said.
The Israeli leader added that the initiative offered “a practical and realistic path forward for Gaza” that could avoid further bloodshed.
However, Hamas had not received a written copy of the plan and could not issue a formal response until it had reviewed the proposal in detail according to a senior Hamas official. Hamas leaders have previously rejected disarmament demands.
NETANYAHU APOLOGISES TO QATAR OVER STRIKE
The announcement comes after Netanyahu issued a formal apology to Qatar after an Israeli strike earlier this month killed a Qatari serviceman during an operation targeting Hamas officials.
“As a first step, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his deep regret that Israel’s missile strike against Hamas targets in Qatar unintentionally killed a Qatari serviceman,” the White House said. “He further expressed regret that Israel violated Qatari sovereignty and affirmed that Israel will not conduct such an attack again in the future.”
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