Trump Administration Proposes 21-Point Gaza Peace Plan Amid Ongoing Conflict

The Trump administration has introduced a 21-point peace plan for Gaza, aiming to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas within 48 hours of an agreement and to establish a framework for Gaza's governance post-conflict.

President Donald Trump expressed optimism about resolving the conflict, stating, "We gotta get that solved. Gaza is – it’s a tragedy, and he wants to get it solved, and I want to get it solved, and I think the other side wants to."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has vowed to continue military operations until Hamas is destroyed. The proposed plan recognizes Palestinian aspirations for statehood, a point of contention for key members of Netanyahu's government.

The plan outlines the release of approximately 20 hostages believed to be alive in exchange for a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. It also excludes Hamas from any future governance role, proposing instead an interim administration comprising an international body and a Palestinian committee.

While the plan does not explicitly support the creation of a Palestinian state, it acknowledges Palestinian aspirations. The U.S. has been critical of other nations recognizing Palestinian statehood, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio describing such moves as reckless.

Netanyahu reiterated his opposition to a Palestinian state, stating, "Giving the Palestinians a state a mile from Jerusalem is like giving al-Qaeda a state one mile from New York City after September 11."

The U.S. plan also stipulates that there cannot be any forced displacement of Gaza's population. Earlier this year, Trump discussed the possibility of the U.S. taking over Gaza and rebuilding it while relocating its entire population of two million.

Trump recently met with leaders from Muslim nations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, and Pakistan, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, calling it his "most important meeting" of the day.

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff indicated that the plan was presented to Arab states at the United Nations, expressing hope for a breakthrough in the coming days.

It remains unclear how the plan will be received in Israel, where Netanyahu's far-right coalition members have threatened to collapse the government if the war ends before Hamas is eradicated. For now, the Israeli military campaign in Gaza continues unabated.