WASHINGTON, DC; United States President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu jointly unveiled a peace initiative on Monday aimed at ending the war in Gaza, a conflict that has ravaged the territory for nearly two years.

Speaking at a high-profile press conference in Washington, President Trump hailed the agreement as a “big, big day for peace,” emphasizing that support for the plan extended well beyond Israel and the United States. In a surprising acknowledgment, he singled out Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for backing the proposal, thanking them for what he called their “crucial support.”

“The prime minister and the field marshal of Pakistan … they were with us right from the beginning. In fact, they just put out a statement that they fully believe in this pact. They back this 100 percent,” Trump declared, underscoring Islamabad’s visible role in the process.

Trump’s Vision: Toward “Eternal Peace” in the Middle East

Trump framed the Gaza initiative as part of a larger strategy for long-term stability in the Middle East. He said his administration’s 20-point plan, released earlier in the day by the White House, was designed not only to stop the fighting in Gaza but also to pave the way for a broader regional settlement.

“This is part of the bigger picture, which is peace in the Middle East … let’s call it ‘eternal peace in the Middle East’,” he told reporters.

The US president noted that consultations with Arab and Muslim nations had shaped the proposal, crediting leaders across the region as well as allies in Europe. “These are done with total consideration and working with the nations we are talking about,” Trump said, insisting the plan had been widely welcomed.

Core Elements of the US Proposal

According to Trump, the key pillar of the plan is the release of all Israeli hostages within 72 hours of Israel’s acceptance of the deal. In return, Israel would commit to phased withdrawals from Gaza, while 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 detainees held since October 7, 2023, would be released.

Other major features include:

• Demilitarisation of Gaza with Arab and Muslim countries tasked with dismantling Hamas’ military infrastructure.
• Dismantling of terror tunnels and weapons production sites across the enclave.
• Establishment of a new transitional authority to oversee Gaza’s civilian administration.
• A phased Israeli withdrawal tied to verified demilitarisation benchmarks.
• Creation of a new international monitoring mechanism dubbed the “Board of Peace,” to be led by regional leaders, Israel, and chaired personally by Trump.

Trump also revealed that the World Bank would help recruit and train a technocratic government for Gaza made up of Palestinians and international experts, with Hamas and similar groups excluded entirely from governance.

Trump Warns Hamas

While expressing optimism that Hamas would accept the deal, Trump issued a pointed warning.

“If Hamas rejects the deal, which is always possible … I have a feeling that we’re going to have a positive answer, but if not, as you know Bibi, you have my full backing to do what you have to do,” Trump said, turning to Netanyahu.

The US president stressed that the ultimate aim was to eliminate “the danger Hamas poses” while ensuring Gazans could live peacefully under a new system.

Netanyahu’s Endorsement

Taking the floor after Trump, Netanyahu wholeheartedly endorsed the US proposal, calling it consistent with Israel’s own conditions for ending the war.

“I support your plan to end the war in Gaza, which achieves our war aims,” Netanyahu told Trump. “It will bring back to Israel all of our hostages, dismantle Hamas’ military capabilities and its political rule, and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.”

The Israeli leader credited the sacrifices of Israeli soldiers and described the conflict as “a war between civilisation and barbarism.”

He laid out Israel’s five principles for the post-war scenario:

1. Immediate return of all hostages (alive and deceased).
2. Complete disarmament of Hamas.
3. Full demilitarisation of Gaza.
4. Continued Israeli security control, including a security perimeter.
5. Civilian governance of Gaza without Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.

Netanyahu said that if Hamas agrees, Israel would begin a “modest withdrawal” within days, linked to the release of hostages. Further withdrawals would be tied to the progress of disarmament under the international oversight body.

Pakistan’s Role and Shehbaz Sharif’s Reaction

Pakistan emerged as an unexpected but significant player in this unfolding peace initiative. President Trump praised both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir for early support of the plan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking earlier in London, also welcomed the US-led proposal. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said:

“I welcome President Trump’s 20-point plan to ensure an end to the war in Gaza. I am also convinced that durable peace between the Palestinian people and Israel would be essential in bringing political stability and economic growth to the region.”

He also lauded Trump’s leadership and his special envoy Steve Witkoff for their efforts, adding that the implementation of a two-state solution remained “essential for lasting peace.”

Shehbaz highlighted a recent meeting in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly where leaders from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Türkiye, and Indonesia had engaged with Trump on Gaza. He described the talks as “very constructive,” expressing hope that a ceasefire would follow soon.

Wider Context

The conflict in Gaza has devastated the region, with more than 65,000 Palestinians killed and over 167,000 injured in less than two years, according to UN figures. Millions have been displaced, and earlier this month, UN investigators accused Israel of committing genocide in its campaign, citing statements by top officials as incitement.

The White House stressed that the new plan was designed to prevent further bloodshed and to rebuild Gaza under a demilitarised, internationally supervised framework.

Looking Ahead

Trump described the agreement as “the closest we’ve ever come to real peace” and hinted that even Iran could eventually be included in the Abraham Accords, a framework initially launched during his first term.

“I long ago said that Iran would be a member of the Accords,” he remarked, adding that the region now had “a chance for everlasting peace.”

The joint press conference closed with Netanyahu thanking Trump personally for his leadership, declaring: “We are taking the next step to win the war and expand the peace.”

For now, the focus shifts to Hamas, whose acceptance or rejection of the plan will determine whether the war in Gaza finally ends—or whether the cycle of violence continues.

Here’s the full text of Trump’s 20-point plan to end Israel’s war on Gaza

The White House says its proposal would end the war on Gaza immediately if both sides accept.

The White House has unveiled a 20-point proposal it says could bring an immediate halt to Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians and left the Palestinian enclave in ruins.

If the plan is accepted by both sides, the war is to end immediately with all captives held in Gaza alive and dead returned within 72 hours and Palestinian prisoners released. The Gaza Strip is to be temporarily governed by a Palestinian technocratic government with no role for Hamas, and Israel will not annex Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted Trump’s plans, but Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi told Al Jazeera that the group has not yet received Trump’s written Gaza peace plan.

Trump’s 20-point plan to end Israel’s genocide in Gaza, published in full:

• Gaza will be a deradicalised terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbours.
• Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.
• If both sides agree to this proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed upon line to prepare for a hostage release. During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal.
• Within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned.
• Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 life sentence prisoners plus 1,700 Gazans who were detained after October 7th 2023, including all women and children detained in that context. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.
• Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.
• Upon acceptance of this agreement, full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip. At a minimum, aid quantities will be consistent with what was  included in the January 19, 2025, agreement regarding humanitarian aid, including rehabilitation of infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage), rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries, and entry of necessary equipment to remove rubble and open roads.
• Entry of distribution and aid in the Gaza Strip will proceed without interference from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not associated in any manner with either party. Opening the Rafah crossing in both directions will be subject to the same mechanism implemented under the January 19, 2025, agreement.
• Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people in Gaza. This committee will be made up of qualified Palestinians and international experts, with oversight and supervision by a new international transitional body, the “Board of Peace,” which will be headed and chaired by President Donald J Trump, with other members and heads of State to be announced, including Former Prime Minister Tony Blair. This body will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until such time as the Palestinian Authority has completed its reform program, as outlined in various proposals, including President Trump’s peace plan in 2020 and the Saudi-French proposal, and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza. This body will call on best international standards to create modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conducive to attracting investment.
• A Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energize Gaza will be created by convening a panel of experts who have helped birth some of the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East. Many thoughtful investment proposals and exciting development ideas have been crafted by well-meaning international groups, and will be considered to synthesize the security and governance frameworks to attract and facilitate these investments that will create jobs, opportunity, and hope for future Gaza.
• A special economic zone will be established with preferred tariff and access rates to be negotiated with participating countries.
• No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return. We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.
• Hamas and other factions agree to not have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form. All military, terror, and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, will be destroyed and not rebuilt. There will be a process of demilitarization of Gaza under the supervision of independent monitors, which will include placing weapons permanently beyond use through an agreed process of decommissioning, and supported by an internationally funded buy back and reintegration program all verified by the independent monitors. New Gaza will be fully committed to building a prosperous economy and to peaceful coexistence with their neighbors.
• A guarantee will be provided by regional partners to ensure that Hamas, and the factions, comply with their obligations and that New Gaza poses no threat to its neighbors or its people.
• The United States will work with Arab and international partners to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) to immediately deploy in Gaza. The ISF will train and provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza, and will consult with Jordan and Egypt who have extensive experience in this field. This force will be the long-term internal security solution. The ISF will work with Israel and Egypt to help secure border areas, along with newly trained Palestinian police forces. It is critical to prevent munitions from entering Gaza and to facilitate the rapid and secure flow of goods to rebuild and revitalize Gaza. A deconfliction mechanism will be agreed upon by the parties.
• Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza. As the ISF establishes control and stability, the [Israeli military] will withdraw based on standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization that will be agreed upon between the [Israeli military], ISF, the guarantors, and the Unites States, with the objective of a secure Gaza that no longer poses a threat to Israel, Egypt, or its citizens. Practically, the [Israeli military] will progressively hand over the Gaza territory it occupies to the ISF according to an agreement they will make with the transitional authority until they are withdrawn completely from Gaza, save for a security perimeter presence that will remain until Gaza is properly secure from any resurgent terror threat.
• In the event Hamas delays or rejects this proposal, the above, including the scaled-up aid operation, will proceed in the terror-free areas handed over from the [Israeli military] to the ISF.
• An interfaith dialogue process will be established based on the values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence to try and change mindsets and narratives of Palestinians and Israelis by emphasizing the benefits that can be derived from peace.
• While Gaza re-development advances and when the PA reform program is faithfully carried out, the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood, which we recognize as the aspiration of the Palestinian people.
• The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence.

SOURCE; Agencies / Al Jazeera