The United States-led peace initiative aimed at halting the devastating war in Gaza has received cautious endorsements from leaders across Europe and the Middle East.
The 20-point plan, unveiled on Monday at the White House by President Donald Trump alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, outlines an immediate ceasefire, large-scale prisoner exchanges, and a new international mechanism to temporarily govern Gaza.
Trump described the proposal as “a historic day for peace” while warning Hamas that rejection would bring renewed Israeli military action with full American support. “If Hamas does not agree, Israel will finish the job,” he declared, giving the militant group a stark ultimatum.
The agreement calls for the release within 72 hours of 20 living Israeli hostages and the return of remains of over two dozen believed dead, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons. For every Israeli body returned, Israel would release 15 deceased Palestinians.
The deal further requires Hamas to disarm, dismantle its tunnel networks and weapons factories, and relinquish any role in Gaza’s governance.
Instead, a technocratic Palestinian committee would administer the territory under supervision of a newly formed international “Board of Peace,” chaired by Trump and including prominent figures such as former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The plan emphasizes rapid humanitarian relief, promising that once the ceasefire is in place “full aid will be immediately sent into Gaza.” It also pledges a US-backed economic reconstruction programme to rebuild war-damaged infrastructure.
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Though the document leaves open the prospect of a future Palestinian state, Netanyahu quickly rejected the notion. “It is not in the agreement,” he said, reiterating his long-standing opposition.
He also insisted Israeli forces would retain security control inside Gaza for the foreseeable future, contradicting elements of the White House text.
The Palestinian Authority welcomed the initiative as “sincere and determined” and signaled readiness to cooperate with Washington, regional states, and other partners.
Leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, the UAE, Indonesia, and Pakistan also praised Trump’s “leadership” and expressed willingness to engage with the US to finalise the accord.
Their joint statement stressed that the deal should lead to a two-state solution integrating Gaza with the West Bank.
In Europe, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Hamas to accept the deal and “end the misery” by disarming.
French President Emmanuel Macron pledged French support for the peace process, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called it “a turning point” that must not be wasted.
European Council President Antonio Costa described Netanyahu’s tentative acceptance as encouraging, urging all parties to “seize the moment.”
Hamas officials confirmed receiving the proposal in Doha via Qatari and Egyptian mediators.
A senior official told the BBC the group was open to studying any plan that could end the war but insisted Palestinian rights must be safeguarded, including full Israeli withdrawal and the establishment of an independent state on 1967 borders.
Crucially, the official declared Hamas’s weapons “a red line” as long as the occupation continued.
This hardline stance highlights one of the plan’s biggest obstacles: Hamas’s refusal to disarm while Netanyahu demands nothing less.
The plan comes amid staggering human costs. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than 66,000 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the war erupted in October 2023 following Hamas’s deadly assault on southern Israel.
The UN has declared famine in parts of Gaza and accused Israel of committing genocide, an allegation Israel denies.
Trump, in his second term, has remained staunchly supportive of Israel but recently voiced frustration over strikes affecting US allies.
Tensions flared after an Israeli attack in Qatar killed a serviceman, prompting Netanyahu to apologise directly to Doha’s leadership.
The proposal also follows Netanyahu’s combative speech at the UN, where he denounced recognition of Palestinian statehood by several Western governments as “a mark of shame.”
His remarks sparked walkouts by diplomats, underscoring Israel’s growing international isolation.
Whether the plan can succeed remains uncertain. Hamas demands sovereignty and the retention of arms, while Netanyahu refuses to concede Palestinian statehood or relinquish military control.
Yet with mounting humanitarian catastrophe, international pressure, and war fatigue, the peace plan may represent the most serious diplomatic opening in two years of bloodshed.
As one European diplomat told reporters, “This may not bring peace overnight, but it could at least stop the killing long enough for serious talks to begin.”
BBC
