US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a new framework to end the Gaza conflict on 29 September.
Known as Trump’s 20-point plan, the initiative resulted from months of coordination with Arab and Muslim nations including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.
Officials said Trump intervened after Israel’s airstrike on Doha, which violated Qatar’s sovereignty and targeted Hamas negotiators.
The attack reportedly convinced Trump to pressure Israel into halting its military campaign and pursue a diplomatic solution.
By Trump’s second term, Israel had already achieved its strategic military goals in Iran, Lebanon, and Gaza, paving the way for peace efforts.
On 8 October, Trump confirmed that Israel and Hamas had signed the first phase of the agreement, marking the start of implementation.
Phase One: Ceasefire and Humanitarian Relief
Phase one enforces an immediate ceasefire, freezing all military operations and stabilizing frontlines.
Both sides must release detainees within 72 hours, including all Israeli hostages, alive or deceased.
In return, Israel will free 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 others arrested since the conflict began.
The plan also mandates unrestricted access for humanitarian aid convoys delivering essential supplies to civilians.
UN agencies and the Red Crescent will oversee food, medicine, and infrastructure relief to ensure fair distribution.
Officials in Washington said this phase aims to stop the bloodshed and establish conditions for lasting negotiations.
Phase Two: Disarmament and Security Oversight
Talks for phase two will begin after hostages are released.
The plan orders the destruction of Hamas’s tunnels, rockets, and other offensive weapons to prevent renewed violence.
Gaza will become a “de-radicalized, terror-free zone” that poses no threat to surrounding nations, according to the document.
Hamas members who renounce violence will receive amnesty or safe passage into exile.
An international stabilization force consisting of US, Arab, and European troops will deploy temporarily to secure Gaza.
This coalition will train a new Palestinian police force and monitor compliance with disarmament protocols.
US military officials said the operation aims to restore long-term peace and prevent militant resurgence.
Phase Three: Reconstruction and Political Transition
In the third stage, a transitional government led by Palestinian technocrats will assume administrative control of Gaza.
An international board, named the “Board of Peace,” will supervise the transition and include global figures such as Tony Blair.
The administration will manage reconstruction, restore utilities, and rebuild hospitals, schools, and housing across the region.
Foreign aid will flow directly to projects under UN and Red Crescent supervision to prevent corruption and ensure accountability.
The plan encourages Palestinians to stay and rebuild their communities rather than seek relocation abroad.
It also proposes recognizing Palestine as a state, contingent upon institutional reforms and transparent governance.
Trump’s framework envisions Gaza governed by neutral experts, focusing on stability and public service, not political factions.
Dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian leadership will shape a long-term peace framework based on coexistence and mutual respect.
Although the plan references Palestinian statehood as an aspiration, it stops short of guaranteeing US recognition.
On 30 September, Netanyahu reaffirmed that no Palestinian state would emerge under this proposal, closing that possibility for now.
