WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump has laid out a sweeping 21-point peace plan for Gaza, earning cautious praise from key Arab allies and European leaders as he seeks to end the brutal conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The plan, revealed Saturday, includes a demand that Hamas release all Israeli hostages within 48 hours of any agreement, an international effort to deradicalize Gaza, and a commitment to halt all fighting. It also outlines a pathway toward possible Palestinian statehood — a move that marks a dramatic shift in Trump’s Middle East policy.
According to details first reported by the Times of Israel, the proposal would see Gaza governed by a temporary international authority made up of the U.S., Arab nations, and European states. Hamas would be barred from any governing role, though members willing to renounce violence would receive amnesty and safe passage if they choose to leave.
“This addresses Israeli concerns as well as the concerns of all the neighbors in the region,” U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said during the Concordia Summit in New York this week. “We’re hopeful — even confident — that in the coming days we’ll see a breakthrough.”
Key Elements of the Plan
- Hostages Freed: All Israeli captives in Gaza must be released within 48 hours of signing.
- Security Guarantees: Regional allies will enforce compliance through a stabilization force.
- Economic Revitalization: Gaza will receive massive aid, new trade incentives, and reduced tariffs for a special economic zone.
- Israeli Commitments: Israel will gradually withdraw forces, release certain Palestinian prisoners, and pledge not to annex Gaza or strike Qatar again.
- Palestinian Future: Pathway opened for eventual statehood under a new internationally overseen government.
Trump, who presented the plan privately to Arab leaders earlier this week at the United Nations, is expected to review it with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday. Netanyahu, however, has vowed to continue Israel’s military campaign until Hamas is dismantled.
“The United States remains focused on ending the conflict in Gaza in a way that frees all hostages, ends Hamas’ terrorist rule, and facilitates humanitarian aid,” a State Department official told The Post.
A Shift in Trump’s Rhetoric
The new proposal marks a pivot from Trump’s February remarks suggesting Palestinians could be relocated while Gaza was transformed into a “Riviera of the Middle East.” Now, the plan emphasizes rebuilding the enclave and allowing displaced Gazans to return.
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, welcomed the framework, saying success depends on unified U.S., Arab, and European support.
“I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Nope, I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen,” Trump told reporters Friday, signaling his intent to rein in Israeli hardliners pushing for expansion. “It’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.”
Whether Hamas will engage with the plan remains unclear. For now, the proposal has injected fresh urgency into international diplomacy, with Washington betting that a mix of pressure, aid, and regional cooperation could finally unlock peace in Gaza.