President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared together at the White House Monday where they pledged support for a U.S. plan to secure the release of remaining hostages and end the war in Gaza.
“We’re at a minimum, very, very close. And I think we’re beyond very close,” Trump said in a press conference alongside Netanyahu. “And I want to thank Bibi for really getting in there and doing a job.”
The announcement of a peace plan comes as the two-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel draws closer — and as a growing list of nations recognized Palestinian statehood last week during the United Nations General Assembly.
Ahead of the meeting, the White House released its multi-point plan for peace. [Scroll down to read the White House’s plan.] The 20-point plan would immediately end Israel’s war in the territory, boost aid to Gaza, and require Hamas to release remaining Israeli hostages within 48 hours. A “Trump economic development plan” will be created to rebuild Gaza, including a special economic zone with preferred tariffs and access rates.
“The hostages are coming back,” Trump said.
Netanyahu, who spoke next, said he supports Trump’s plans, which he said “achieves our war aims.”
“I believe that today, we’re taking a critical step towards both ending the war in Gaza and setting the stage for dramatically advancing peace in the Middle East, and I think beyond the Middle East and very important Muslim countries,” Netanayhu said.
Hamas has yet to accept the proposal and has resisted specific measures that are outlined in the proposal.
“All military, terror and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, will be destroyed and not rebuilt,” the plan states.
Unlike Trump’s earlier comments to move Palestinians out of the region and redevelop the Gaza strip, the White House plan says Palestinians will be encouraged to stay and help “build a better Gaza.”
