Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to a U.S.-backed plan to end the war in Gaza and establish “a credible pathway” to a Palestinian state.
The White House rolled out the plan shortly before President Donald Trump appeared with Netanyahu for a joint press conference at the White House. Trump announced that Israel had agreed to the 20-point framework, which the president said would deliver “peace in the Middle East,” during his opening remarks.
“Today is a historic day for peace, and Prime Minister Netanyahu and I have just concluded an important meeting on many vital issues, including Iran, trade, expansion of the Abraham Accords, and, most importantly, we discussed how to end the war in Gaza,” Trump said. “I also want to thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for agreeing to the plan and for trusting that if we work together, we can bring an end to the death and destruction that we’ve seen for so many years.”
Trump said a number of Arab nations have also agreed to the outline, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, and others.
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“Under the plan, Arab and Muslim countries have committed … to demilitarize Gaza – and that’s quickly – decommission the military capabilities of Hamas and all other terror organizations – do that immediately – and we’re relying on the countries that I named and others to deal with Hamas. And I’m hearing that Hamas wants this done, too,” the president continued.
Hamas is the only party yet to accept the deal, according to the president. If Hamas rejects the proposal, Israel would receive the “full backing” of the United States to continue the war in Gaza.
“If Hamas rejects the deal, which is always possible – they’re the only one left, everyone else has accepted it – but I have a feeling we’re going to have a positive answer. But if not, you know, Bibi, you’d have our full backing to do what you have to do,” said Trump.
Netanyahu made objections to a Palestinian state, Trump said, citing the October 7 terror attack in which an estimated 3,000 Hamas fighters and thousands of Gazans flooded across the border into Israel and murdered, raped, and kidnapped hundreds of Israeli civilians and soldiers. In remarks after Trump, Netanyahu praised the framework.
“I believe that today, we are taking a critical step toward both ending the war in Gaza, and setting the stage for dramatically advancing peace in the Middle East,” said Netanyahu.
If implemented correctly, the U.S.-backed proposal will accomplish all of Israel’s war aims, including the return of all hostages – those dead and those still alive – to Israel, complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, and the destruction of Hamas as an organization.
“If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr. President, or if they supposedly accept it, and then, basically, do everything to counter it, then Israel will finish the job by itself. This can be done the easy way, or it can be done the hard way. But it will be done,” the prime minister said.
This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.
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