The Trump administration has put forward a sweeping 21-point peace proposal aimed at ending the war in Gaza, according to a source familiar with the plan. Central to the proposal is the immediate release of all Israeli hostages and a comprehensive framework for Gaza’s post-conflict governance.
President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the prospects for a deal, saying the parties are “very close” to an agreement. His comments come just days after his envoy cited a potential “breakthrough” following talks with key Arab nations at the United Nations.
At the heart of the plan is a demand for the release of all remaining hostages—believed to number around 20—within 48 hours of any agreement. In return, Israel would begin a phased withdrawal of its troops from Gaza. The proposal explicitly excludes Hamas from any future role in governing the territory. Instead, it envisions two interim governing bodies: an international oversight group and a Palestinian-led committee.
While the blueprint does not specify a timeline for transferring authority to the Palestinian Authority (PA)—an entity Israel has largely resisted involving in Gaza—it does acknowledge Palestinian aspirations for statehood. That element is likely to spark friction within Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition, where several key figures strongly oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The plan was presented on the sidelines of the United Nations to leaders from several Muslim-majority nations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan. Notably, it includes a clause stating that Israel will refrain from further attacks on Qatari territory, following recent strikes targeting Hamas figures in Doha.
Despite the diplomatic push, Netanyahu remains firmly opposed. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, he reiterated his commitment to continue military operations until Hamas is fully dismantled. He dismissed any talk of a Palestinian state near Jerusalem, comparing it to “giving al-Qaeda a state one mile from New York City after September 11.”
The U.S. proposal also includes language rejecting the forced displacement of Gaza’s civilian population—an apparent reversal of previous remarks by Trump suggesting relocation of the territory’s entire population.
The plan has triggered immediate backlash within Israel’s political landscape. Far-right members of Netanyahu’s coalition, including Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, condemned the proposal and threatened to topple the government if it ends the war without Hamas’s total defeat. “Netanyahu does not have a mandate to end the war without the complete destruction of Hamas,” Ben Gvir declared.
However, cracks in that hardline stance are emerging. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar voiced his confidence in Netanyahu’s ability to defend Israel’s interests, and opposition leader Yair Lapid offered a crucial lifeline, pledging parliamentary support for a hostage deal and a negotiated end to the conflict.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue their military campaign in Gaza, with three army divisions expanding control over Gaza City. Netanyahu is expected to meet with President Trump at the White House on Monday to discuss the proposal further.
