On 29 September, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a sweeping new plan to address the Gaza conflict. Known as Trump’s 20-point plan, the proposal was shaped through consultations with Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and other Arab and Muslim nations.
The plan followed escalating tensions after an Israeli strike on Doha that violated Qatari sovereignty and reportedly aimed to target Hamas negotiators. The failed attack prompted Trump to pressure Israel into halting military action. By his second presidential term, Israel had already achieved major objectives in Iran, Lebanon, and Gaza, allowing Washington to push for a diplomatic end.
On 8 October, Trump confirmed that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of the peace deal, which seeks to end the war and begin reconstruction.
Phase 1: Ceasefire and Humanitarian Relief
The first phase enforces an immediate halt to hostilities, freezing all frontlines and military operations. Both sides must cease fire while Israel releases 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences and 1,700 arrested since the war began.
Hamas must release all Israeli hostages—alive or deceased—within 72 hours. The clause marks the initial step toward building mutual confidence between the warring sides.
The phase also authorises humanitarian operations, allowing aid convoys to enter Gaza unimpeded. Relief agencies will restore critical infrastructure, including hospitals, water systems, and shelters. The United Nations and Red Crescent will oversee all aid distribution to ensure fairness and transparency across Gaza’s devastated regions.
Phase 2: Disarmament and International Oversight
The second stage begins once hostages are released and stability improves. It focuses on dismantling Hamas’s offensive capabilities, including its network of tunnels, weapons caches, and training sites. The plan seeks to render Gaza “a de-radicalised, terror-free zone” posing no threat to neighbouring states.
Hamas members who renounce violence and accept peaceful coexistence may receive amnesty and safe passage to exile. To maintain order, an international stabilisation force—comprising US, Arab, and European troops—will deploy temporarily to Gaza. Their mission includes overseeing disarmament and training a new Palestinian police force capable of maintaining security and rule of law.
The international force will operate under joint command, ensuring neither Israel nor Hamas exerts unilateral control. This structure aims to prevent future escalations and sustain trust during the fragile transition period.
Phase 3: Governance, Reconstruction, and Statehood Debate
The third and most complex phase outlines Gaza’s long-term governance and reconstruction process. A transitional administration led by independent Palestinian technocrats will manage local affairs. This team will coordinate with an international supervisory body to rebuild infrastructure and restore essential services.
The plan envisions a fully transparent aid program. Humanitarian agencies will manage reconstruction funding, ensuring that no political factions divert resources. The goal is to encourage displaced Palestinians to remain in Gaza and rebuild their communities through new economic incentives and job programs.
A key provision introduces the “Board of Peace,” chaired by Trump and including global figures such as former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. This council will monitor progress, coordinate donor support, and ensure compliance with ceasefire terms.
Although the proposal acknowledges the Palestinian right to statehood, it stops short of granting US recognition. Trump’s administration maintains that any recognition depends on successful reforms within the Palestinian Authority and sustained peace with Israel.
On 30 September, Netanyahu declared that no Palestinian state would emerge under the current plan, closing the door on formal recognition. However, the peace framework marks a significant diplomatic effort to stabilise Gaza and redefine the political landscape of the Middle East.
