U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a 21-point plan on Monday aimed at ending the nearly two-year war between Israel and Hamas, while outlining a path for Gaza’s redevelopment. The proposal has drawn endorsements from several world leaders, who see it as a potential breakthrough, though critics question its practicality amid ongoing violence and unresolved political hurdles.
The plan calls for Hamas to surrender and disarm, the phased withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from Gaza, and the establishment of an interim governing body co-chaired by Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. It also proposes forming a multinational security force to manage Israeli-occupied areas and train a vetted Palestinian police unit.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to the framework, despite reports of continued IDF operations in Gaza that killed at least 30 people on Tuesday, according to medical sources. The Palestinian Authority has welcomed the initiative and committed to governance reforms, while a senior Hamas official indicated the group would review the proposal relayed through mediators Egypt and Qatar.
The conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis and took about 250 hostages, has led to more than 66,000 Palestinian deaths, per Gaza’s Health Ministry, with IDF data suggesting an 83% civilian casualty rate among Palestinians. Nearly 2,000 Israelis, including civilians and soldiers, have also been killed overall. A prior ceasefire earlier in 2025 collapsed when Israel resumed military actions, complicating hopes for the current effort.
International support has been swift, with leaders emphasizing the need for hostage releases and a lasting resolution. French President Emmanuel Macron stated on X, “I welcome President Trump’s commitment to ending the war in Gaza and securing the release of all hostages. I expect Israel to engage resolutely on this basis. Hamas has no choice but to immediately release all hostages and follow this plan. These elements must pave the way for in-depth discussions with all relevant partners to build a lasting peace in the region, based on the two-state solution and on the principles endorsed by 142 UN member states, at the initiative of France and Saudi Arabia.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged action in a government statement, saying, “We call on all sides to come together and to work with the U.S. Administration to finalise this agreement and bring it into reality. Hamas should now agree to the plan and end the misery, by laying down their arms and releasing all remaining hostages.”
Spain’s President Pedro Sanchez posted on X, “Spain welcomes the peace proposal for Gaza promoted by the United States. … The two-state solution, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, is the only possible one.” Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the proposal as a potential “turning point” toward a permanent ceasefire, calling on Hamas to accept its terms. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz labeled it the “best chance” to end the war, according to Barron’s. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi added on X, “Trump’s plan provides a viable pathway to long term and sustainable peace, security and development for the Palestinian and Israeli people, as also for the larger West Asian region.”
Despite the endorsements, the proposal arrives against a backdrop of global calls for an immediate ceasefire and criticism of Israel’s Gaza operations, with some humanitarian groups and international bodies accusing actions of amounting to genocide. Analysts point to the plan’s demands on Hamas and the challenges of implementation as major obstacles, especially with no immediate halt to hostilities outlined.
As mediators continue discussions, the international community watches closely to see if this initiative can build momentum toward de-escalation or if it joins a long line of stalled efforts in the region.
