by Corrine Baum, James Genn
If Hamas rejects, Israel has full backing to "do what you would," Trump said
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US President Donald Trump stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to his plan to create peace in Gaza following a meeting in the White House on Monday.
What did Trump say at the White House press conference?
Trump said that the US would be involved in Israel's security after the ceasefire agreement.The president said that if his deal were accepted by Hamas, all of the hostages, living and dead, would be released almost immediately.
Trump intends to end the war itself, and said that he was "hearing that Hamas wants to get this done."
He also stated that during his meeting with Netanyahu, the Israeli PM clearly stated his opposition to a Palestinian state.
He noted that if Hamas rejects the deal that Israel has agreed to, he would give Israel the backing to destroy Hamas.
"And if Hamas rejects the deal, which is always possible, they're the only one left. Everyone else has accepted it, but I have a feeling that we're going to have a positive answer," he said. "But if not, as you know, Bibi, you have our full backing to do what you would."
In addition, he said Israel and others were "beyond very close" to reaching an agreement on ending the Israel-Hamas War in the Gaza Strip.
Trump, standing alongside Netanyahu, said the agreement would involve Arab countries and should help to achieve a broader peace in the Middle East.
"At least we're at a minimum, very, very close. And I think we're beyond very close," Trump told reporters. "And I want to thank Bibi for really getting in there and doing a job."
Trump affirmed that Israelis want a return to peace and want the hostages home. He also added that there were "many Palestinians who wish to live in peace," adding that they had a "rough life under Hamas.
Trump stated that he believes Iran will one day become a member of the Abraham Accords.
He concluded his statement by again calling on Hamas to accept his plan, calling it an "extremely fair proposal."
What did Netanyahu say at the White House press conference?
Netanyahu stated that Trump was Israel's greatest friend in Washington."You are the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House," the prime minister said, adding that "it's not even close."
He also said that Trump's plan achieves all of Israel's war aims.
Netanyahu outlined his cabinet's "day after" plan for Gaza and the end of the war.
The objectives included: the disarmament of Hamas, the demilitarization of Gaza, the return of the hostages, Israel maintaining security parameters within the enclave, and the establishment of a peaceful civilian administration in the Gaza Strip.
The prime minister also said that there would be no role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza until it underwent major transformations.
Netanyahu said that Trump's plan provides a "realistic path for Gaza."
What is Trump's plan?
Trump released his plan to end the Israel-Hamas War.Notably, the statement said that within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned.
The released statement states that Gaza will be "a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors," and that the enclave will be redeveloped for the citizens of Gaza, "who have suffered more than enough."
If both sides agree to this proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed-upon line to prepare for a hostage release. During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal.
Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 life sentence prisoners plus 1,700 Gazans who were detained after October 7th, 2023, including all women and children detained in that context. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.
Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.
Upon acceptance of this agreement, full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip. At a minimum, aid quantities will be consistent with what was included in the January 19, 2025, agreement regarding humanitarian aid, including rehabilitation of infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage), rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries, and entry of necessary equipment to remove rubble and open roads.
Entry of distribution and aid in the Gaza Strip will proceed without interference from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not associated in any manner with either party. Opening the Rafah crossing in both directions will be subject to the same mechanism implemented under the January 19, 2025 agreement.
Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people in Gaza.
This committee will be made up of qualified Palestinians and international experts, with oversight and supervision by a new international transitional body, the “Board of Peace,” which will be headed and chaired by President Donald J. Trump, with other members and heads of State to be announced, including former prime minister Tony Blair.
This body will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until such time as the Palestinian Authority has completed its reform program, as outlined in various proposals, including President Trump’s peace plan in 2020 and the Saudi-French proposal, and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza.
This body will call on the best international standards to create modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conducive to attracting investment.
A Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energize Gaza will be created by convening a panel of experts who have helped birth some of the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East.
Many thoughtful investment proposals and exciting development ideas have been crafted by well-meaning international groups, and will be considered to synthesize the security and governance frameworks to attract and facilitate these investments that will create jobs, opportunities, and hope for the future of Gaza.
A special economic zone will be established with preferred tariff and access rates to be negotiated with participating countries.
No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return. We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza."
This is a developing story.
Corrine Baum, James Genn
Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869014
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