US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say they have agreed on a new peace plan for Gaza, accompanied by warnings to Hamas to accept it.
The plan includes an immediate cessation of military operations, with demands that Hamas release 20 living Israeli hostages and the remains of deceased captives within 72 hours, in exchange for hundreds of detained Gazans.
The proposal was presented to Hamas officials by negotiators from Qatar and Egypt, indicating that Hamas is not expected to play a role in governing Gaza. The ongoing plan lays the groundwork for a potentially independent Palestinian state.
During a press briefing, Trump touted the plan as a historic day for peace, while Netanyahu asserted that Israel will retaliate if Hamas fails to comply.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer endorsed the initiative, urging all parties to unite behind the agreement to alleviate ongoing suffering.
The U.S. plan outlined steps to rebuild Gaza's economy and governance via an international body, indicating a potential stabilization in a region significantly affected by conflict.
Details revealed in the plan suggest a systematic dismantling of Hamas's arms and military infrastructure, and it also allows for international assistance to be sent into Gaza once hostages are freed.
In response, a senior Hamas official stated they are open to proposals that protect Palestinian interests, emphasizing that disarmament discussions rely on achieving a political solution acknowledging Palestinian statehood.
This new plan follows significant violence in the region and a call for humanitarian aid, as the toll from ongoing conflict has escalated dramatically in recent years.
