President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday to discuss a peace deal to end to Israel’s offensive in Gaza, and free hostages still held in the area.
Shortly before their meeting, the White House released the president’s plan to end the Israel-Hamas conflict, which Netanyahu said he supported; Trump said Hamas has yet to agree. The 20-point plan to end the war begins with an immediate ceasefire and proposes Hamas release all of the hostages within 72 hours in exchange for a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops with the aim of a permanent ceasefire, according to the White House.
In a lengthy document titled “President Donald J. Trump’s comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict,” the plan stated that Trump will head a “Board of Peace,” an international transitional body that would oversee a temporary committee governing Gaza. The transitional governance of Gaza, responsible for the day-to-day running of services, would be made up of Palestinians and international experts, with oversight and supervision by an international, transitional “Board of Peace.” The board would be chaired by Trump, with other members and heads of state to be announced, including former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The proposal further stated that: “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 body, the document says, “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.”
Under the plan – as long as all parties accept it — “the war will immediately end,” and Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed upon line for the release of hostages. The document also says Gaza will be “developed for the benefit of the people of Gaza.” The Trump administration proposal also says Israel “will not occupy or annex Gaza.”
After his meeting Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, Trump touted the peace deal. He added, however, that Israel would have the “full backing” of the U.S. to destroy Hamas if the plan falls through. Trump said in remarks: “I think we are very close,” but if Hamas fails to agree to the plan, the president said Israel could continue its campaign. The president told Netanyahu “you would have our full backing to do what you would have to do .. Everyone understands that the ultimate result must be the elimination of any danger posed in the region, and that danger is caused by Hamas.”
Netanyahu said after their meeting that Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza is a “critical step” to ending the conflict. Netanyahu said to Trump: “I support your plan to end the war in Gaza, which achieves our war aims. It will bring back to Israel all our hostages, dismantle Hamas’ military capabilities, end its political rule, and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel .. I believe that today we’re taking a critical step toward both ending the war in Gaza and setting the stage for dramatically advancing peace in the Middle East.” Netanyahu also said of Trump: “you’ve proven time and again what I’ve said many times — you are the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House. When our two countries stand shoulder to shoulder, we achieve the impossible.” Netanyahu said if Hamas agrees to the plan, the “first step” will be a “modest withdrawal” from Gaza and the “release of all our hostages within 72 hours.”
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