US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say they have agreed a new peace plan for Gaza and have warned Hamas to accept it.
The plan proposes an immediate end to military operations, with Hamas releasing 20 living Israeli hostages and the remains of the more than two dozen hostages who are believed to be dead within 72 hours, in exchange for hundreds of detained Gazans.
A Palestinian source familiar with the ceasefire negotiations disclosed that Hamas officials have been given the White House's 20-point proposal, which demands that Hamas will have no role in governing Gaza, while leaving the door open for an eventual Palestinian state.
During a news conference following discussions at the White House, Trump praised the plan as a historic day for peace, while stating that Netanyahu has the US's backing to act decisively if Hamas fails to comply.
Netanyahu asserted that Israel is prepared to finish the job should Hamas reject the proposed agreement. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the initiative and urged all parties to collaborate with the US to finalize the plan.
The proposal initiates with a cessation of military activities and stipulates that existing battle lines will remain until both parties meet agreed-upon conditions. It requires Hamas to surrender its arms and dismantle its weapon production facilities.
In a key provision, should Hamas return the Israeli hostages and remains, Israel would reciprocate by releasing hundreds of Gazans. The plan also includes an economic development strategy aimed at rebuilding Gaza, with a governing committee proposed to oversee the region temporarily and ensure Hamas's exclusion from governance.
Commenting on the recent tensions, Netanyahu's combative address at the UN denounced Western recognition of a Palestinian state as shameful, eliciting significant international dissent.
The ongoing conflict has been marked by severe casualties, with over 66,000 reported deaths in Gaza since the escalation began in October 2023. Amidst a humanitarian crisis, the UN has acknowledged famine conditions, adding pressure on leaders to reach a sustainable resolution.
