Middle Eastern leaders have welcomed a new U.S. peace initiative that aims to end the conflict in Gaza, while President Donald Trump urged Hamas to accept the proposal.
The plan, devised by Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for an immediate ceasefire. Hamas must release 20 living Israeli hostages and the remains of over two dozen captives believed dead within 72 hours, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians held by Israel.
A Palestinian source told the BBC that Hamas has been presented with the White House’s 20-point proposal.
The agreement demands Hamas relinquish any role in governing Gaza and allows for the eventual creation of a Palestinian state uniting Gaza and the West Bank. Gaza would be temporarily managed by an apolitical Palestinian committee supervised by an international transitional body led by Trump.
In a rare display of regional consensus, the foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan jointly welcomed Trump’s leadership and emphasised their readiness to cooperate in finalising the agreement. They highlighted the critical aim of realising a two-state solution, uniting Gaza with the West Bank in a recognised Palestinian state.
European Union Council President Antonio Costa expressed optimism about Netanyahu’s receptive stance, urging all parties involved to seize this opportunity for lasting peace.
Trump described the plan as “a historic day for peace” but warned Israel would receive U.S. support to “finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas” if the group rejects it. Netanyahu said Israel “will finish the job” if Hamas fails to comply.
The Palestinian Authority praised the U.S. efforts as “sincere and determined,” and foreign ministers from several Middle Eastern countries expressed support, hoping it leads to a two-state solution.
The plan requires an immediate halt to fighting, with Hamas disarming and its tunnels and weapons facilities dismantled. For every Israeli hostage’s remains returned, Israel will release the bodies of 15 dead Gazans, followed by immediate delivery of humanitarian aid.
Importantly, Palestinians will not be forced to leave Gaza but encouraged to remain and rebuild.
Hamas remains cautious but open to proposals that protect Palestinian rights, ensure Israeli withdrawal, and end the war.
A senior official said, “The weapons of the resistance are a red line as long as the occupation continues,” and arms can only be discussed as part of a political solution based on the 1967 borders.
The announcement follows Netanyahu’s controversial UN speech condemning moves to recognise a Palestinian state, which led to diplomatic walkouts. Trump, although a strong Israel supporter, has recently expressed frustration over Israeli strikes in Qatar, a U.S. ally.
Israel launched its campaign after a major Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Since then, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports over 66,000 deaths due to Israeli actions.
The humanitarian crisis has deepened, with UN reports confirming famine in Gaza City and a commission accusing Israel of genocide—a charge Israel strongly denies.