Trump Unveils Gaza Peace Plan as Europe, Middle East Leaders Express Support; Hamas Urged to Accept

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European and Middle Eastern leaders have welcomed a new United States–brokered peace proposal aimed at ending the war in Gaza, even as sharp disagreements remain over the future governance of the territory.

The 20-point plan, announced at the White House on Monday by US President Donald Trump alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of 20 Israeli hostages within 72 hours, and the return of the remains of more than two dozen others believed to be dead. In exchange, Israel would release hundreds of detained Palestinians.

A Palestinian source confirmed to the BBC that Hamas officials have received the proposal. However, the plan stipulates that Hamas would have no role in governing Gaza, leaving open the possibility of a future Palestinian state — an idea Netanyahu later publicly opposed.

“It’s not written in the agreement. We said we would strongly oppose a Palestinian state,” Netanyahu said in a video statement, reiterating his longstanding position. He also insisted that the Israel Defense Forces would retain a presence in Gaza, despite the text of the US proposal suggesting otherwise.

At the White House event, Trump described the initiative as “a historic day for peace,” but warned Hamas of severe consequences if it failed to comply.
“If Hamas does not agree to the plan, Prime Minister Netanyahu has US backing to finish the job of destroying the threat,” Trump said.

Regional and International Response

The Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, cautiously welcomed the US push. In a statement published by the official Wafa news agency, the PA called Trump’s efforts “sincere and determined,” and pledged to work with the US, regional partners, and international actors to secure an end to hostilities, humanitarian access, and the release of hostages and prisoners.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan praised Trump’s “leadership and sincere efforts to end the war.” They said they were ready to engage with Washington to finalise and implement the agreement, stressing that it should lead to a “two-state solution, under which Gaza is fully integrated with the West Bank in a Palestinian state.”

European governments have also indicated cautious support, seeing the plan as a potential breakthrough in a conflict that has defied decades of peace initiatives.

Next Steps

Hamas has yet to issue a formal response to the proposal. Analysts say its decision could determine whether the plan becomes a pathway to renewed negotiations or a trigger for further escalation.