Trump and Netanyahu Push for Gaza Ceasefire as New 20-Point Peace Plan Unveiled
Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced on Monday that an end to the nearly two-year-long Gaza war could finally be within reach after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to a detailed 20-point ceasefire framework.
The proposal, unveiled publicly for the first time during a joint appearance at the White House, still requires Hamas’s approval. While the militant group has previously rejected similar terms, Trump projected confidence that this time the outcome could be different.
“I think we are beyond very close,” Trump told reporters in the State Dining Room. “We’re not quite finished. We have to get Hamas.”
The plan’s central demand is the release of all remaining hostages — both alive and deceased — within 72 hours of Israel formally accepting the deal. That timeline, Trump warned, has already started ticking.
Trump’s push for peace
For Trump, securing a Gaza ceasefire would represent a significant diplomatic breakthrough and bolster his longstanding ambition of earning global recognition, including the Nobel Peace Prize he has openly sought. The president has faced mounting frustration over the prolonged conflict, which has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, displaced millions, and left Gaza in ruins.
“This could be the breakthrough the region has needed for decades,” Trump said. “Everyone else has accepted the plan. It’s Hamas we’re waiting on.”
Netanyahu, standing beside him, issued a stern warning: “If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr. President, or pretends to accept it but undermines it, Israel will finish the job by itself. This can be done the easy way or the hard way — but it will be done.”
Both leaders made clear that if Hamas refuses the deal, Israel will continue military operations with Trump’s “full backing.”
Hostage families urge progress
The families of hostages kidnapped during the October 7, 2023, attacks welcomed the new proposal, describing it as “now or never.” The hostages’ families have repeatedly accused Netanyahu of obstructing peace efforts and prolonging the war for political reasons.
“We urge the government to move forward,” the families’ forum said in a statement. “Every delay puts lives at risk.”
Reactions from Palestinian factions
While Hamas has yet to issue an official response, another militant faction, Islamic Jihad, immediately denounced the plan, calling it “a recipe for regional explosion” and accusing Israel of trying to achieve through diplomacy what it failed to accomplish on the battlefield.
Ziyad al-Nakhalah, the group’s leader, argued the U.S.-brokered proposal amounted to continued aggression against Palestinians.
Details of the plan
The ceasefire blueprint, White House officials say, is the most realistic proposal to date. Key elements include:
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Release of all remaining hostages within 72 hours.
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A phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
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No future role for Hamas in governing Gaza.
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Temporary governance by an international body called the “Board of Peace,” chaired by Trump and supported by world leaders including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
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Eventual transfer of administrative control to the Palestinian Authority after governance reforms.
Trump admitted he initially resisted chairing the “Board of Peace” but agreed after requests from Arab leaders and Israel. “Believe me, I’m very busy,” he joked, “but this is too important to turn down.”
Diplomatic backdrop
Trump’s push comes at a time of heightened global pressure. Several Western nations recently recognized Palestinian statehood during the UN General Assembly, adding urgency to U.S. efforts to mediate.
The deal also has potential to expand on the Abraham Accords, Trump’s hallmark foreign policy achievement from his first term, which normalized relations between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain. American officials believe a Gaza ceasefire could unlock broader regional cooperation.
Past failures and frustrations
This is not Trump’s first attempt to broker peace. Previous ceasefire negotiations collapsed, including one in July 2025 when both the U.S. and Israel abruptly walked away, blaming Hamas for stalling.
Privately, Trump has grown frustrated with Netanyahu’s reluctance to end the conflict and Israel’s expanding military campaigns. White House insiders say Trump has questioned whether his longtime ally is stringing him along, especially after Israel launched strikes in Qatar earlier this month that killed a Qatari serviceman.
Despite his anger, Trump has avoided a public break with Netanyahu, continuing U.S. military and financial support for Israel.
Political challenges for Netanyahu
Netanyahu faces resistance at home. His far-right allies, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have threatened to collapse the government if the war ends under conditions they oppose. Smotrich has demanded that the Palestinian Authority play no role in Gaza’s future, directly contradicting Trump’s plan.
Israeli sources say Netanyahu privately told his allies he doubts Hamas will accept the proposal, which could allow Israel to continue military operations while maintaining political stability.
Situation on the ground in Gaza
Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll continues to mount. In August, Israel’s security cabinet authorized the occupation of Gaza City, one of Hamas’s final strongholds. A UN inquiry this month concluded Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians — a finding Israel strongly rejects.
Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas killed around 1,200 Israelis and abducted over 250 people, the war has raged with little reprieve. Only two temporary ceasefires have been implemented, the most recent collapsing in March 2025 when Israel resumed its offensive, accusing Hamas of stalling hostage releases.
Images from Gaza show displaced families fleeing south with their belongings, highlighting the desperate humanitarian crisis.
What comes next
As Hamas deliberates, the pressure mounts. Trump and Netanyahu presented their plan as the best chance yet for peace, though history has shown how fragile such negotiations can be.
“This is the closest we’ve ever been,” Trump insisted. “The world is watching, and the time for peace is now.”
Whether Hamas accepts or rejects the offer could determine not only the fate of Gaza but also Trump’s legacy in Middle East diplomacy.