Trump Optimistic, Pushes 21-Point Gaza Peace Plan Forward/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump says the U.S. is “very close” to a Gaza peace agreement built around a 21-point plan. The proposal demands the release of hostages within 48 hours in exchange for phased Israeli troop withdrawals and outlines interim governance for Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists the war will continue until Hamas is destroyed.
Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan Quick Looks
- Framework: 21-point proposal for Gaza’s post-war future
- Hostages: All hostages to be freed within 48 hours of deal
- Israeli withdrawal: Phased troop pullout from Gaza in exchange for hostage release
- Hamas role: Excluded from any future governance
- Governance model: International oversight + Palestinian committee (no set handover to PA)
- Palestinian state: Recognized as an aspiration, not U.S.-endorsed policy
- Netanyahu stance: Rejects Palestinian state, vows to destroy Hamas
- Population clause: No forced displacement of Gaza’s civilians
- Arab states: Proposal presented to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan
- Trump’s outlook: Calls negotiations “intense, inspired, and productive”
- Timing: Netanyahu to meet Trump at the White House Monday
- Military reality: Israeli campaign continues; 700,000 civilians displaced from Gaza City
Deep Look: Trump Promotes 21-Point Gaza Peace Plan Amid Resistance From Netanyahu
WASHINGTON — September 27, 2025
President Donald Trump is touting a 21-point Gaza peace plan, describing it as a potential breakthrough to end nearly two years of devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas. Speaking Friday, Trump said negotiators are “very close” to sealing a deal, even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue military operations until Hamas is fully eradicated.
Key Elements of the Proposal
A source familiar with the plan told CNN the roadmap lays out both short-term and long-term measures, including:
- Hostage release: Roughly 20 surviving hostages held by Hamas would be freed within 48 hours of an agreement.
- Phased Israeli withdrawal: Israeli troops would gradually pull back from Gaza in exchange for hostage releases.
- Exclusion of Hamas: The militant group would play no role in Gaza’s governance moving forward.
- Interim governance: Gaza would be overseen by a two-layer system — an international body coupled with a Palestinian committee.
- Palestinian Authority (PA): No timeline is specified for transferring authority to the PA, which Israel continues to reject as a governing force in Gaza.
- Palestinian statehood: The plan acknowledges Palestinian aspirations for statehood but stops short of U.S. recognition.
Importantly, the document states there will be no forced displacement of Gaza’s population. This marks a shift from Trump’s earlier remarks about relocating Gaza’s two million residents.
Netanyahu Pushes Back
“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,” Netanyahu said.
His far-right coalition partners have threatened to collapse the government if the war ends before Hamas is fully destroyed. Some are calling for Israel to assume direct control of Gaza and extend sovereignty over large parts of the West Bank.
Arab Engagement and Regional Diplomacy
Trump’s plan was shared this week with leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan during meetings on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington is “hopeful, and even confident, that in the coming days we’ll be able to announce some sort of breakthrough.”
The plan reportedly includes an assurance that Israel will not target Qatar again, following recent airstrikes in Doha that killed Hamas officials.
Trump’s Optimism and Hamas’ Silence
On social media, Trump hailed “inspired and productive discussions” with regional partners and emphasized the goals of securing the hostages’ release and achieving a “PERMANENT AND LONGLASTING PEACE.”
While Israel has been fully briefed, it remains unclear whether Hamas has formally seen the proposal. A senior Hamas official told CNN Saturday the group had received no new ceasefire offers.
War Continues on the Ground
Despite peace talk optimism, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza continues at full force. According to the Israeli Defense Forces:
- 700,000 civilians have fled Gaza City since evacuation orders were issued earlier this month.
- Three Israeli divisions are tightening their grip on the city in an attempt to eliminate Hamas strongholds.
The humanitarian toll remains dire, with widespread displacement, food shortages, and collapsing infrastructure across the strip.
What Comes Next
Netanyahu is expected to meet Trump at the White House on Monday, where the plan’s details may be discussed in greater depth. Whether the 21-point roadmap can reconcile Trump’s push for a deal with Netanyahu’s determination to crush Hamas remains the central challenge.
For now, Trump’s administration is banking on regional diplomacy and hostage-focused concessions to create momentum toward a deal — even as fighting on the ground shows no sign of slowing.
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