US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say they have agreed on a new peace plan for Gaza and have warned Hamas to accept it.
The plan proposes an immediate end to military operations, with Hamas releasing 20 living Israeli hostages and the remains of the more than two dozen hostages who are believed to be dead within 72 hours, in exchange for hundreds of detained Gazans.
A Palestinian source familiar with the ceasefire negotiations told the BBC that Hamas officials have been given the White House's 20-point proposal.
It demands that Hamas will have no role in governing Gaza, and leaves the door open for an eventual Palestinian state.
Speaking at a news conference following talks at the White House, Trump called the plan a historic day for peace. However, he emphasized that Netanyahu will have US backing to proceed with actions against Hamas if the plan is not accepted.
Netanyahu remarked that Israel will finish the job if Hamas rejects the plan or fails to comply.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the initiative, urging all parties to collaborate with the US Administration to finalize the agreement and alleviate ongoing suffering.
The proposal outlines the cessation of military operations, stating that existing battle lines would be frozen until conditions for staged withdrawal are met. It also requires Hamas to surrender its arms and destroy its infrastructure for weapon production.
For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will return the remains of 15 dead Gazans, the plan specifies. Full aid would also be immediately directed to the Gaza Strip upon agreement.
The US detailed future governance options for Gaza, suggesting a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee with supervision from a new international transitional body led by Trump, alongside former leaders such as Tony Blair.
Notably, the plan highlights that Hamas must not assume any governance role at any level. It includes initiatives for economic redevelopment in Gaza and affirms that Israel would not occupy or annex the territory.
A Palestinian source indicated that officials from Qatar and Egypt have conveyed the proposal to Hamas in Doha. Although a senior Hamas official stated openness to reviewing the plan, they emphasized that it must protect Palestinian interests and ensure a complete Israeli withdrawal.
Amidst the backdrop of Netanyahu's recent controversial UN speech, the timing of the peace plan announcement is significant, reflecting the complex dynamics at play as military actions in Gaza reach critical levels.
As of now, over 66,000 casualties have been reported due to the ongoing conflict, highlighting the urgent need for a sustainable resolution.
