Trump and Netanyahu Present Hamas with a 20-point Peace Proposal for Gaza

In an impactful development, the United States’ former President, Donald Trump, and Israel’s then Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, presented a 20-point peace blueprint to the militant organization Hamas. The proposal, aimed at creating a peaceful trajectory for Gaza, came with a strict warning – accept or be prepared for the repercussions. The influential duo announced their ultimatum during a White House meeting and a subsequent shared press conference. The proposed agreement, an unprecedented initiative for Middle East peace, hints at a pivotal turning point for the region.

Despite the leaders’ relentless optimism for their proposal, it became clear that Hamas had not been involved in the discussions. In fact, the group’s stance on the proposed points remained ambiguous. Mahmoud Mardawi, representing Hamas, revealed that the group had not been privy to the proposal during the declaration. Later reports indicated that go-betweens from Qatar and Egypt met with Hamas post the public announcement to deliver the peace blueprint.

The imposition of the peace proposal was unilateral, as emphasized by Trump and Netanyahu. They were not presenting Hamas with a negotiation, but an outright demand. ‘Should Hamas choose to decline, Israel would have my absolute support to conclusively quash the Hamas threat,’ Trump announced. He expressed a desire for a peaceful resolution but warned Israel’s full support if Hamas turned down the proposal.

‘Should Hamas refuse your proposal, Mr. President, or feign agreement only to undermine it, Israel will complete the task alone,’ warned Netanyahu, indicating serious consequences should Hamas not comply. He went on to stress that completion of the task, be it the easy way or hard way, was inevitable. Israel’s prime minister emphasized the urgency and importance of the mission, citing the sacrifices made by the youth in the seemingly continuous struggle against Hamas in Gaza.

The comprehensive 20-point initiative is aimed at quelling conflict in the Palestinian region, following an egregious attack on October 7, 2023. The principal points include a ceasefire, swapping captives held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from the disputed territories, disarming Hamas, and ushering in an interim administration under international jurisdiction.

The proposal also mandates that Hamas relinquish arms and governance in the occupied zone. Hamas members expressing a commitment to tranquility would be granted amnesty and the option to continue residing in Gaza. Alternatively, they could opt for safe passage to accommodating nations. The blueprint encompassed a scheme dubbed the ‘Trump economic development plan’, involving a panel of experts to rejuvenate and energize Gaza.

In a significant note, nobody will be forced to evacuate Gaza, instead, the inhabitants who wish to leave would be at liberty to do so, while also holding the right to return. Earlier, President Trump had sparked a controversy by proposing to transform Gaza into the ‘Riviera of the Middle East’. His ambitious proposal entailed major financial injections and caused a stir due to talks of displacing Palestinians.

Netanyahu arrived at these crucial discussions with a strong agenda – to fortify his country’s prominent alliance with the US. This push for strengthening ties came after several western leaders formally recognized Palestinian statehood, openly defying the standpoints of the US and Israel. The peace plan was also presented to Arab and Muslim countries on the sidelines of the UN general assembly.

Trump’s primary objective during these pivotal meetings was to bridge any remaining disparities with Netanyahu, a goal he seemingly achieved. Regardless, the apparent exclusion of Hamas from these negotiations ignited queries regarding the likelihood of success for this initiative. Late Monday, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE, Qatar, and Egypt collectively lauded Trump’s proposed agreement.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) also expressed positivity towards the proposal. Confirming its support for Trump’s ‘determined attempts’ to terminate the conflict, the PA extended a hopeful outlook. However, the chief of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, Ziad al-Nakhala, perceived the proposal as a potential trigger for regional turmoil. The group, an ally of Hamas backed by Iran, also held hostages.

Previous attempts at ceasefires, with the backing of the US, did not hold due to unresolvable differences between Israel and Hamas. In the face of these failures, Netanyahu remained resolved, vowing to continue the combat until Hamas’s complete dissolution. Meanwhile, Israeli tanks were reported to infiltrate deeper into the heart of Gaza City, marking a significant territorial push.

Israel launched a major offensive against the war in the same month, with Netanyahu explicitly stating his intention to wipe out the Hamas presence in its final strongholds. This critical Israeli offensive in Gaza led to over 65,000 fatalities, most of them civilians, and left more than 160,000 injured since the conflict began on October 7, 2023.