US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a joint front at the White House
on Monday, unveiling a 20-point Gaza peace plan aimed at ending the war
but leaving major uncertainties over its implementation.
The proposal — which has also been circulated to Arab
leaders — calls for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, Hamas’s
disarmament, and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. It also envisions a
“temporary international stabilization force” and a transitional
authority led by Trump alongside other foreign leaders.
Crucially, the plan promises that Palestinians will
not be forced to leave Gaza. Instead, Trump said the initiative would “encourage
people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.”
Netanyahu’s Position
Netanyahu declared the plan aligned with Israel’s war
aims but issued a blunt warning:
“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.”
The Israeli leader said security in Gaza would remain
under Israel’s control “for the foreseeable future” and ruled out
governance by either Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
Trump’s Optimism, Lingering Frustrations
Trump struck an optimistic note, claiming approval was
“beyond very close.” He boasted that Arab leaders were “on board for
something special, first time ever.”
Yet tensions between the two allies are rising.
Normally supportive of Netanyahu, Trump has recently grown frustrated —
particularly over an Israeli strike in Qatar, a key US ally, and pressure from
Netanyahu’s far-right coalition to annex the occupied West Bank.
Voices From Gaza and Israel
In Gaza, skepticism runs deep. “I don’t expect
anything from Trump, because Trump supports Netanyahu in destroying the Gaza
Strip,” said Mohammed Abu Rabee, 34.
Families of Israeli hostages urged Trump to press
forward, while Israeli strikes continued across the enclave, killing at least
four people in Khan Yunis, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency.
War Background
The conflict began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023
attack that killed 1,219 people in Israel, mostly civilians,
according to official figures. Israel’s offensive since then has killed 66,055
Palestinians, also mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry
figures, which the UN considers reliable.
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