US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire and disarmament deal to end the Israeli genocide in Gaza has drawn support from key Arab nations and Western allies, while Hamas and Palestinian factions remain skeptical. The proposal, aimed at ending the war and rebuilding Gaza, signals a shift in US policy and sets the stage for complex regional negotiations.
“We begin a new chapter of security, peace, and prosperity,” Trump said Monday evening at a joint White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “If we work together, we can end the death and destruction that has plagued this region for decades—if not centuries.”
Trump's plan hinges on a “Board of Peace” under his leadership. The 20-point plan, unveiled during a closed-door meeting with Arab and Islamic leaders, includes a conditional ceasefire, partial Israeli withdrawal, the exchange of all captives, and the deployment of an international security force.
Israel would release roughly 1,950 Palestinian detainees, including those serving life sentences, out of the 10,800 currently languishing in prison. In exchange, all Israeli captives held by Palestinian resistance factions, dead or alive, would be released within 72 hours. Trump said the deal also allows safe passage and immunity for Hamas leaders who lay down their arms.
Gaza would enter a transitional phase, administered by a technocratic committee of Palestinian civilians and international experts, overseen by the Board of Peace. Reconstruction would be directed by development experts backed by Arab states. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is slated to serve on the Board.
The plan vaguely outlines a pathway to Palestinian statehood, linking it to reforms within the Palestinian Authority. Trump described it as “a legitimate aspiration.” In his speech, Netanyahu outlined the reforms expected of the newly-minted Palestinian Authority to include “stopping incitement in the media, ending lawfare against Israel at the ICC, ICJ” and recognizing the Jewish state.
The foreign ministers of Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan have praised Trump’s proposal, calling it a serious opportunity for peace. A UN spokesperson welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed support for all diplomatic efforts.
European leaders responded quickly. French President Emmanuel Macron called the plan “an opportunity that must not be wasted,” while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered full backing. Italian officials described it as a “potential turning point.”
Tony Blair called the initiative “bold and intelligent,” saying it gives Gazans “a chance at a better future” while protecting “Israel’s absolute security.”
Netanyahu accepted the proposal but warned Hamas must comply or “Israel will finish the job”
According to an informed source speaking to Reuters, Hamas negotiators are reviewing the plan in good faith and will issue a formal response. Qatar and Egypt have already briefed the group’s leadership. The plan excludes Hamas from any future governance role in Gaza but offers amnesty to members who commit to peaceful coexistence.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad outright rejected the plan, calling it a “recipe to blow up the region.” Other voices have criticized the proposal for lacking guarantees of sovereignty or a clear path to statehood, viewing it as favoring Israeli security interests over Palestinian rights.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue to pound Gaza City with ground and aerial strikes. The ground incursion, launched in mid-September, has displaced tens of thousands of Palestinians again as we enter the Israeli genocide’s third year.
Before departing for the US, Netanyahu doubled down on his rhetoric, vowing to showcase what he called “many opportunities” created by Israeli military victories. During his address to a thinned-out UN General Assembly, following a rare mass walk-out, Netanyahu stressed he still intends to “finish the job.”
Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel’s US-backed assault on Gaza has killed around 66,000 Palestinians and wounded over 168,000 others, according to the most recent figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.
The offensive has also included the abduction of 361 medical personnel and a summary blockade of aid, which triggered a mass famine that has killed at least 440 people, including 147 children.
Israel’s exclusive control over aid distribution in designated sites where the army has repeatedly opened fire on aid-seekers has also left around 2,500 dead, and more than 18,000 injured.
