WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Monday announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to support a U.S.-proposed Gaza peace plan with the goal of ending almost two years of war in the Palestinian territory, including a ceasefire and the release of hostages being held by Hamas.
Addressing a joint press briefing with Netanyahu, Trump stated that they were “very close” to achieving an elusive peace agreement and that he was hoping Hamas militants would also approve it.
The White House published Trump’s 20-point plan that includes a ceasefire, an exchange of hostages captured by Hamas for Palestinian captives detained by Israel, a simulated Israeli pullout from the Palestinian enclave, disarmament of Hamas and an international-led transitional government.
“I also want to thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for his agreement to the plan and for his confidence that if we work together we can put an end to the death and destruction we’ve witnessed for so many years, decades, even centuries and start a new chapter of security, peace and prosperity for the whole region,” Trump declared.
During Netanyahu’s fourth White House visit since Trump’s return to office in January, the right-wing Israeli leader wanted to bolster his nation’s most significant relationship after a string of Western leaders formally endorsed Palestinian statehood last week in defiance of the U.S. and Israel.
Trump states Israel accepts U.S.-facilitated Gaza ceasefire agreement
Trump, who bitterly denounced the recognition steps as a reward for Hamas, was trying to win Netanyahu’s approval despite Israeli reservations over aspects of the proposal.
It was an intensified diplomatic push by the U.S. president, who promised on his 2024 presidential campaign that he would rapidly end the conflict and has since habitually boasted that a peace accord was imminent, only to have it not work out.
Hamas’ seeming absence from the talks has drawn doubt about the future of the latest effort.
TANKS PUSH DEEPER INTO GAZA CITY
Washington unveiled its peace proposal to Arab and Muslim nations on the fringes of the U.N. General Assembly last week, and Trump’s principal mission on Monday was to attempt to bridge the gaps that remain with Netanyahu.
The White House negotiations occurred as Israeli tanks on Monday pushed deeper into the center of Gaza City. Israel has opened one of its largest campaigns of the war this month, with Netanyahu declaring he wants to eradicate Hamas in its last strongholds. The conflict has destroyed much of Gaza and created a severe humanitarian crisis.
Arriving in a limousine, Netanyahu was welcomed by Trump on the steps outside of the White House with a handshake, in sharp contrast to the Israeli Prime Minister’s frosty welcome when he addressed Friday before the U.N. General Assembly, where dozens of delegates stormed out in protest.
Earlier attempts at ceasefire with U.S. support have disintegrated as a result of an inability to close the gap between Israel and Hamas, and Netanyahu has promised to keep battling until Hamas is rendered powerless.
