New York, NY – President Donald Trump released his new 20-point plan to end the Gaza war on Monday, when he also welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House.
The Trump administration published a 20-point plan on Monday afternoon on how it will end the war in Gaza as the bloodshed continues raging since Oct. 7, 2023. The plan includes granting Hamas terrorists who give up their arms in favor of peace ‘amnesty,’ establishing Gaza as a ‘deradicalized terror-free zone’ and redeveloping the area so that it no longer poses a threat to its neighbors or residents alike.
‘If both sides agree to this proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed-upon line to prepare for a hostage release. During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal,’ the third point of the document reads.
The plan explained that within 72 hours of Israel accepting the agreement, the country will release remaining hostages in its captivity — whether they are alive or deceased. Upon the release of the remaining hostages, Israel will then release ‘250 life sentence prisoners plus 1700 Gazans who were detained after October 7th 2023,’ according to the fifth point of the plan.
The plan adds that Hamas terrorists who are peaceful and give up their weapons will be granted ‘amnesty.’
‘Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries,’ the sixth point of the plan read.
Hamas has not yet accepted the agreement, with Trump threatening the terrorist group to accept the plan or likely face further bloodshed.
‘Israel would have my full backing to finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas,’ Trump said on Monday during a press conference, warning Hamas to accept the deal. ‘But I hope that we’re going to have a deal for peace. And, if Hamas rejects the deal, which is always possible — they’re the only one left. Everyone else has accepted it. But, I have a feeling that we’re going to have a positive answer. But if not, as you know, maybe you’d have our full backing to do what you would have to do.’
A 21-point peace plan circulated at the United Nations earlier this month, as Israel launched long-range strikes deep inside Yemen, hitting targets more than 2,000 kilometers from home and underscoring how volatile the Middle East remains even as diplomacy played out in New York.
Trump unveiled the 21-point initiative to end the Gaza war during meetings with Arab leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly earlier in September.
A White House official, speaking on background, previously told Fox News Digital, ‘The President underscored his desire to bring fighting in Gaza to an expeditious close. Special envoy Witkoff summarized the U.S. plan for Gaza, including the return of all hostages living and deceased, no further attacks on Qatar, a new dialogue between Israel and Palestinians for peaceful coexistence and more.
‘Foreign partners expressed broad agreement that President Trump was the only one who could end the fighting in Gaza and expressed the hope that they could work together with Special Envoy Witkoff to consider the President’s plan as Americans continue to engage with Israeli officials,’ the White House official added.
Arab officials told Fox News Digital that, during the meeting, leaders pressed Trump to confirm he would block Israeli annexation of the West Bank, describing the discussion as ‘productive.’
Speaking at the Concordia Annual Summit in New York, U.S. special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff also described a ‘very productive’ meeting Tuesday between Trump and officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan.
‘We presented what we call the Trump 21-point plan for peace in the Middle East,’ Witkoff said. ‘I think it addresses Israeli concerns as well as concerns of neighbors in the region.’
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, speaking in a recorded UNGA address after being barred from entry to the U.S., also signaled support.
‘We declare that we are ready to work with U.S. President Donald Trump and with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France, the United Nations and all partners to implement the peace plan that was approved in the conference that was held on the 22nd of September, in a way that would lead towards a just peace and regional cooperation,’ Abbas said.
Abbas added that the PA is prepared to take over security and governance in Gaza, while Hamas must disarm.
‘The dawn of freedom will emerge, and the flag of Palestine will fly high in our skies as a symbol of dignity, steadfastness and being free from the yoke of occupation,’ he said. ‘Palestine is ours. Jerusalem is the jewel of our hearts and our eternal capital. We will not leave our homeland. We will not leave our lands.’
Netanyahu, before departing for New York, where he was scheduled to address the UNGA Friday, said without directly commenting on the 21-point proposal, ‘In Washington, I will meet for the fourth time with President Trump, and I will discuss with him the great opportunities our victories have brought, as well as our need to complete the war’s objectives: to return all of our hostages, to defeat Hamas and to expand the circle of peace that has come our way following the historic victory.’
Even as Trump pushed diplomacy in New York, Israel expanded its campaign against Iran-backed militias. The IDF confirmed Thursday it carried out a wide wave of airstrikes against Houthi targets in Sana’a, Yemen, less than 24 hours after a Houthi drone slammed into a hotel in Eilat, wounding 24 people, two of them seriously.
Saudi and Israeli media reported more than 10 strikes during the Houthis’ weekly address, targeting command centers, intelligence headquarters and military compounds. Israeli officials estimate over 50 militants were killed. The IDF said the operation involved dozens of aircraft and long-range refueling, marking Israel’s 15th strike in Yemen since the war began.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said the raids, carried out under the code name Package Delivered, dealt a heavy blow.
‘We struck numerous terror targets of the Houthi regime in Sana’a, eliminating dozens of operatives and destroying stockpiles of drones and weapons,’ Katz declared. ‘As I promised yesterday — those who harm us will be harmed sevenfold.’