Trump says Netanyahu agreed to US plan to end war in Gaza

 

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to back a US-sponsored Gaza peace proposal aimed at ending a near two-year-old war in the Palestinian enclave, including a ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

 

Speaking at a joint press conference with Netanyahu, Trump said they were "beyond very close" to forging an elusive peace deal and that he hoped Hamas militants would accept it. 

 

The White House released Trump's 20-point plan that calls for a ceasefire, a swap of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a staged Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian enclave, Hamas disarmament and a transitional government led by an international body.

 

Under the plan, the war would end and Hamas would release within 72 hours all of the remaining hostages in Gaza who were taken nearly two years ago during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

 

Gaza would also be redeveloped, with the option for Palestinians who want to remain in the country to stay. Hamas fighters would get amnesty and the territory would come under temporary governance by a new, Palestinian committee that would be overseen by a "Board of Peace." Trump would personally chair the panel, alongside other foreign leaders, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.