Trump touts Israel’s approval of his Gaza peace plan. Hamas has not agreed.

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the White House that they’ve reached a tentative agreement on the Trump administration’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza.

But Hamas has not yet agreed. And despite Trump’s hopeful assertions that “eternal peace” could be at hand, he and Netanyahu both threatened Hamas to effectively surrender, with the Israeli leader vowing that his military would “finish the job” if they turn the deal down.

“This could be done the easy way or it can be done the hard way,” Netanyahu said. “But it will be done.”

The proposal calls for Hamas to disarm, return all the hostages within 72 hours and relinquish control of Gaza, according to an outline of the plan released by the White House.

“We’re right there, we’re right there,” Trump said.

The president largely echoed Israeli talking points, expressing opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state, shortly after Netanyahu called and apologized to the emir of Qatar for bombing his capital amid Israel’s widening war against Hamas.

Netanyahu expressed regret about the strikes on a key U.S. ally and, specifically, “that, in targeting Hamas leadership during hostage negotiations, Israel violated Qatari sovereignty,” according to a White House readout of the phone call.

In addition Netanyahu and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani agreed to Trump’s proposal “to establish a trilateral mechanism to enhance coordination, improve communication, resolve mutual grievances, and strengthen collective efforts to prevent threats,” the White House said.

Hamas’ willingness to return all hostages and allow an international body to control Gaza remains uncertain. But Trump referred to the breakthrough with Israel, which occurred after consultations with Arab partners from the Oval Office, as a “historic day for peace” that could eventually be considered “potentially, one of the great days ever in civilization.”

If both sides agree, the White House plan states, “the war will immediately end.” Israeli forces would withdraw and military operations would cease so that all hostages held by Hamas, alive and deceased, would be returned, said Trump, describing the plan at a press availability alongside Netanyahu following more than two hours of meetings. Once the hostages are released, Israel would release around 2,000 Gazans, prisoners and detainees.

Although he acknowledged that the plan hinges on Hamas’ agreement, Trump sounded an optimistic note about that possibility. “I’m hearing that Hamas wants to get this done too,” he said, adding that if the group balks, Netanyahu would have America’s “full backing to do what you would have to do.”

Trump spoke for 29 minutes before introducing Netanyahu, who confirmed his support for the U.S. plan, which he said would “ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.”

“We’re giving everybody a chance to have this done peacefully,” Netanyahu said, vowing that, should Hamas say no to Trump’s proposal, Israel would continue with its bombardment of Gaza until Hamas is fully defeated.

At Trump’s behest, neither leader took questions from the reporters in the room following their remarks.

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Author: Eli Stokols
Published on: 2025-09-29 19:42:00
Source: www.politico.com