Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday announced his backing for US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, hailing it as a “critical step” toward ending the prolonged war. Speaking alongside Trump at the White House, Netanyahu stressed that the proposal aligned with Israel’s security goals and warned Hamas that rejecting the plan would leave Israel with no option but to act unilaterally. “This can be done the easy way or it can be done the hard way, but it will be done,” he declared, underscoring that Israel would not allow Hamas to retain power in Gaza and continue posing a threat.
In his remarks, Netanyahu praised Trump for offering a framework that, in his words, “achieves our war aims.” He said the plan would ensure the return of Israeli hostages, dismantle Hamas’s military and political infrastructure, and secure Gaza in a way that prevents it from becoming a staging ground for future attacks. Calling the proposal “practical and realistic,” the Israeli leader argued that its acceptance could spare both sides further bloodshed and pave the way for stability in the region.
The White House later released the details of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which includes the creation of an international “Board of Peace” to oversee Gaza’s transition. Under the proposal, Israeli forces would carry out a phased withdrawal contingent upon Hamas’s acceptance of the terms. A temporary governing authority would manage reconstruction efforts, enforce security, and oversee institutional reforms for Palestinian governance. The plan specifically states that Palestinians would not be required to leave Gaza, addressing a key concern among international observers.
Trump described the day as “historic for peace” and reiterated his confidence that the framework would gain traction. He emphasised that Arab and Muslim countries had signaled their willingness to support demilitarisation efforts in Gaza if the deal moved forward. One of the central points in the proposal is the immediate release of all remaining hostages, with a strict deadline of no more than 72 hours once Hamas accepts the agreement. Trump insisted this clause would be non-negotiable, assuring families that their loved ones would return.
Despite endorsing the plan, Netanyahu voiced reservations about the Palestinian Authority’s future role in Gaza. He told Trump that unless the Authority underwent a “radical and genuine transformation,” it could not be trusted to play a part in administering the territory. His comments highlighted long-standing Israeli scepticism about Palestinian institutions and their ability to govern effectively.
The success of the proposal now depends on Hamas. Qatar’s prime minister and Egypt’s intelligence chief have already delivered the plan to Hamas negotiators, who reportedly promised to examine it “in good faith.” However, no official response has yet been made public. Netanyahu, while urging acceptance, reiterated Israel’s stance: “If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr. President, or pretends to accept it while sabotaging it, then Israel will finish the job by itself.”
Trump concluded the joint press event without taking questions from reporters, explaining that it would be premature to speculate further since the deal had not been formally finalised and Hamas’s decision was still pending. Both leaders, however, sought to project confidence that the path to peace in Gaza and the broader Middle East was closer than it had been in years.
