WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump on Monday said Israel and others were “beyond very close” to reaching an agreement on ending the war in Gaza.
While addressing the media at the White House alongside Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, the US President said that 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.
“Today is a historic day for peace”, says Trump, adding that Netanyahu has agreed to a 20-point plan to end the war.
He thanked the leaders of the Arab and Muslim nations for their support in developing the proposal, along with many allies in Europe.
“If Hamas accepts the plan, the captives will be released and the war will come to an end.” Trump says he has not dealt with Hamas, but the Arab and Muslim countries “will be dealing with Hamas”.
The president added that the Arab and Muslim countries have committed to “de-militarize Gaza” quickly, as part of the plan.
A White House peace plan for Gaza released on Monday proposes an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants and the return of all hostages, living and dead, within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting the agreement.
If both sides agree to the proposal, “the war will immediately end,” according to the plan. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed-upon lines to prepare for the hostage release.
Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans who were detained after the start of the war on October 7, 2023, the plan said.
