U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a sweeping 20-point peace initiative aimed at ending the intense Gaza conflict. The plan, announced alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seeks to replace Hamas’s control and create a transitional governance structure under international oversight.
At the heart of the proposal is an immediate ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages, to be followed by a phased Israeli withdrawal from much of Gaza. Hamas would be required to disarm, relinquish any role in Gaza’s governance, and allow the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian civilian authority under supervision. An international stabilization force would maintain security during the transition. Reconstruction and humanitarian assistance also play key roles, with funding pledged to rebuild Gaza’s infrastructure and revive its economy.
Trump intends to chair a “Board of Peace,” which includes international figures such as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, to manage Gaza’s transition. Netanyahu has expressed support for the plan, though both leaders warned that failure by Hamas to comply would trigger renewed military actions.
To pressurize compliance, Trump has set a firm deadline: Hamas must accept by Sunday at 6 p.m. Washington D.C. time or face “unprecedented consequences.” The ultimatum frames the proposal as a “last chance” for peace, casting rejection as risking further destruction.
Internationally, reactions have been mixed. Several Arab and Muslim nations initially welcomed the proposal’s goals, but some raised concerns about recent alterations made to the original draft. Pakistan’s foreign minister publicly distanced his country from the U.S. version, stating that key elements—like humanitarian protections and rights of displaced Palestinians—were weakened.
Hamas has not yet formally accepted the plan. Its leaders, along with mediators such as Qatar and Egypt, are reportedly reviewing the details and assessing whether they can accept disarmament and loss of political control. Observers caution that without Hamas’s buy-in, even a well-crafted plan may stall.
As the deadline looms, the region watches closely—whether diplomacy can override force, or whether failure will provoke even greater violence.
