Washington: US President Donald Trump announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to support a Washington-sponsored peace proposal aimed at ending the nearly two-year war in Gaza.
The plan includes a ceasefire, the release of hostages held by Hamas, staged Israeli withdrawals, and the establishment of a transitional government under international supervision.
Speaking at a joint press conference at the White House, Trump declared that both sides were very close to sealing a deal. “If we work together, we can bring an end to the death and destruction that we’ve seen for so many years, decades, even centuries,” Trump said, thanking Netanyahu for backing the 20-point framework.
The White House plan envisions Hamas disarmament, a phased release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages, and international oversight of Gaza’s governance. However, Hamas has not formally joined the negotiations, raising questions over the initiative’s viability.
“Today is a historic day for peace — and Prime Minister @netanyahu and I have just concluded an important meeting…we discussed how to end the war in Gaza, but it’s just a part of the bigger picture, which is peace in the Middle East.” – PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP pic.twitter.com/5f9PF9EC3c
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 29, 2025
The talks followed a week of mounting international pressure on Israel after several Western states formally recognised Palestinian statehood in defiance of US objections. Trump, who denounced those recognitions as a reward for Hamas, has staked political capital on brokering peace.
The announcement came as Israeli tanks pushed deeper into central Gaza City, part of one of the most intense offensives of the conflict. Netanyahu has repeatedly vowed to continue military operations until Hamas is dismantled. The war has devastated much of the enclave and sparked a severe humanitarian crisis.
Netanyahu’s warm welcome at the White House contrasted with his frosty reception at the UN General Assembly last week, where many delegates walked out during his speech.
Previous US-brokered ceasefire attempts have collapsed over deep divisions between Israel and Hamas. While Washington presented its peace blueprint to Arab and Muslim states during last week’s UN meetings, significant hurdles remain.
