President Donald Trump has proposed a 20-point Trump Gaza peace plan to end the nearly two-year war, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted Monday, now awaiting a response from Hamas. The proposal seeks to secure the return of 46 hostages.
Key Elements of the Trump Gaza Peace Plan
The comprehensive plan would conclude Israel’s military operation and disarm Hamas. It also outlines terms for an Israel Hamas hostage exchange, stipulating that the 46 hostages, held for 725 days, could be returned within 72 hours of a joint agreement.
As part of the deal, the proposal blocks any Israeli annexation plans for Gaza. It also offers some Hamas members “amnesty” and a path out of the territory if they agree to disarm.
Netanyahu Government Reaction to Trump Plan
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s acceptance of the plan places his fragile government in a precarious position. By July, his coalition controlled just 50 of the 120 seats in the Israeli parliament after narrowly surviving a push for early elections in June.
Public opinion polls have repeatedly shown Netanyahu would likely lose an election held in the immediate term. Many Israelis have questioned his priorities regarding the hostage situation and ongoing military operations.
Ben-Gvir, Smotrich Oppose Peace Deal
Hard-right members of the coalition are threatening to collapse the government over the proposed concessions. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the plan “a resounding diplomatic failure” and “a closing of eyes and turning our backs on all the lessons of October 7th.“
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has previously resigned over similar deals, only to be reinstated. John Hannah of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America noted the plan “runs contrary to all their end-game objectives,” which included military occupation and annexation.
Palestinian Governing Body and Gaza Reconstruction
The proposal calls for a Palestinian governing body to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, managed by an international coalition headed by Trump. This framework includes requirements for the complete demilitarization and deradicalization of the territory.
The plan also mandates a fundamental overhaul of the Palestinian Authority.
Opposition Leaders Offer Cautious Support
Opposition leader Yair Lapid expressed skepticism, noting that what threatens the plan are those who say “‘yes, but.’” He described Netanyahu as “a seasoned and exhausting expert in ‘yes, but,’” who agrees in Washington but changes his tune at home.
Conversely, Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White Party, stated his party “would not allow petty politics to sabotage the plan.” Richard Goldberg, a senior advisor with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said that from a principles perspective, “this would be a clear Israeli victory.“
