European and Middle Eastern leaders have welcomed a new US peace initiative for Gaza, though uncertainty remains over whether Hamas will agree to its terms.
The plan, unveiled at the White House by President Donald Trump alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, outlines a framework aimed at ending the conflict that has ravaged Gaza since October 2023. Key provisions include an immediate ceasefire, the release of 20 Israeli hostages within 72 hours, and the return of the remains of more than two dozen others believed dead, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
The 20-point proposal, delivered to Hamas through Qatari and Egyptian mediators, stipulates that the group will play no role in Gaza’s future governance. Instead, a technocratic Palestinian committee would manage the enclave under the oversight of an international transitional authority called the “Board of Peace,” chaired by Trump. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is slated to serve on the body, which would supervise reconstruction and governance.
Calling it “a historic day for peace,” Trump warned Hamas that rejection of the deal would trigger full US support for Israel to “finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas.” Netanyahu echoed the sentiment, declaring Israel would “finish the job” if the plan collapsed. However, in a later video statement, he reiterated his opposition to a Palestinian state, despite the US framework leaving the door open to such an outcome.
Reactions from world leaders have been largely supportive. The Palestinian Authority described Trump’s efforts as “sincere and determined,” vowing cooperation with Washington and regional partners. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, the UAE, Indonesia, and Pakistan issued a joint statement praising Trump’s “leadership” and stressing the agreement should pave the way for a two-state solution.
European leaders also welcomed the move. European Council President Antonio Costa said he was “encouraged by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s positive response,” urging all parties to “seize this moment to give peace a genuine chance.” UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni all expressed support, with Macron pledging France’s readiness to help implement the deal. Meloni described the plan as a “potential turning point.”
The proposal envisions the dismantling of Hamas’s military infrastructure, a phased Israeli withdrawal, and large-scale economic investment to rebuild Gaza. It rules out occupation or annexation by Israel and promises Palestinians will not be displaced but instead given “the opportunity to build a better Gaza.”
Hamas has yet to issue a formal response but has signaled opposition to core elements. A senior official said any agreement must guarantee Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza and recognition of Palestinian rights, including a state based on 1967 borders. He insisted Hamas’s weapons remain “a red line” until occupation ends.
The announcement follows Netanyahu’s combative address to the UN General Assembly, in which he denounced recent recognitions of Palestinian statehood by Western nations as a “mark of shame,” prompting a walkout by dozens of diplomats.
The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military campaign has left more than 66,000 dead, according to Gaza’s health ministry, while a UN-backed body has confirmed famine conditions. A recent UN commission accused Israel of genocide, a charge Israel strongly rejects.
Whether Trump’s peace plan can overcome hardened positions remains uncertain. But with the humanitarian crisis worsening, international pressure on both sides is mounting.
