Leaders in Middle East and Europe welcome Trump’s Gaza peace plan

World Leaders React to Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan

European and Middle Eastern leaders have broadly welcomed a new US peace plan for Gaza, unveiled by President Donald Trump alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The 20-point proposal calls for:

• An immediate ceasefire.
• The release of 20 living Israeli hostages within 72 hours, plus the remains of more than two dozen others believed dead.
• In return, Israel would release hundreds of detained Palestinians.
• A ban on Hamas playing any role in Gaza’s governance.
• The possibility of an eventual Palestinian state.

Despite this, Netanyahu later reiterated his opposition to Palestinian statehood and insisted Israeli forces would remain in Gaza, contradicting parts of the US text. He warned that Israel would “finish the job” if Hamas refused the deal.

International Reactions

• Palestinian Authority (PA): Welcomed Trump’s “sincere and determined” efforts, pledging cooperation with the US and regional partners to end the war, ensure aid delivery, and facilitate prisoner exchanges.
• Arab and Muslim states (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan): Praised Trump’s leadership, saying they were ready to work with Washington to implement the plan toward a two-state solution.
• European Union: Council President Antonio Costa urged all sides to “seize this moment to give peace a genuine chance.”
• UK: Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Hamas to agree, calling the plan a path to “end the misery.”
• France: President Emmanuel Macron said Paris was ready to contribute, stressing the two-state solution as the long-term goal.
• Italy: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the plan could be “a turning point” and urged all parties to accept it.
• Tony Blair: The former UK PM, set to join the proposed transitional body overseeing Gaza, called the plan “bold and intelligent.”

The Proposal’s Details

The plan outlines a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces, freezing current battle lines until conditions for withdrawal are met. Hamas would be required to disarm, dismantle its tunnels, and halt weapons production. For each Israeli hostage’s remains returned, Israel would release 15 Palestinians’ remains.

A “technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee” would temporarily govern Gaza under the supervision of a new international body, the Board of Peace, chaired by Trump. The US also promises a major economic plan to rebuild Gaza, while stating Israel will not annex or occupy the territory.

Unlike Trump’s earlier positions, Palestinians would not be forced to leave Gaza. The plan states: “We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.”

Hamas Response

Hamas officials in Doha confirmed receiving the proposal via Qatari and Egyptian mediators. A senior official said the group was open to reviewing any plan that ends the war, but insisted that:

• Israel must fully withdraw from Gaza.
• Palestinian interests must be safeguarded.
• The “resistance’s weapons” remain a red line unless tied to a broader political solution guaranteeing a state on 1967 borders.

Background

The war began after Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken. Since then, at least 66,055 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli operations, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.

The humanitarian crisis has deepened, with UN agencies confirming famine in Gaza City and a UN inquiry recently concluding that Israel has committed genocide—an accusation Israel rejects.

The peace plan announcement came days after Netanyahu fiercely opposed international recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN, prompting a mass walkout during his speech.