Trump and Netanyahu Reach Agreement on New US Peace Deal to End Gaza Conflict

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, has endorsed US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace initiative aimed at concluding the conflict in Gaza that has lasted nearly two years.

Though it remains uncertain whether Hamas will embrace the initiative, diplomatic sources have informed Al Jazeera that the militant organization’s negotiating team is reviewing it.

During remarks in Washington on Monday, Netanyahu characterized the initiative as a significant step toward concluding the conflict and promoting peace throughout the Middle East.

“I support your plan to end the war on Gaza, which achieves our war aims. It will bring back to Israel all our hostages, dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities, end its political rule, and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel,” he said

The initiative has received positive responses from multiple Arab and European nations, along with the Palestinian Authority.

Related: Three British Citizens Were Killed By An Israeli Strike In Gaza

At a joint press conference held after meeting with Netanyahu, Trump stated they were “beyond very close” to reaching a peace agreement for the Palestinian territory.

“We’re not quite finished. We have to get Hamas, but I think they’re going to be able to do that. So now it’s time for Hamas to accept the terms of the plan that we’ve put forward today,” he said.

Trump cautioned the Palestinian militant organization that if it rejects the agreement, Israel would receive Washington’s complete support to “finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas”.

The US president’s initiative would establish an immediate ceasefire, facilitate an exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, implement a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, require Hamas disarmament, and create a transitional government overseen by an international body.

It does not mandate people to evacuate Gaza.

Hamas-led fighters killed around 1,200 people and captured 251 hostages in the 7 October 2023, attack on Israel, according to Israeli tallies.

More than 66,000 Palestinians have since been killed in Israel’s assault, according to Gaza’s health authorities.