Trump's Gaza Peace Plan: 6 Key Elements for Ending the Israel-Hamas Conflict

Trump will chair transitional "Board of Peace" in Gaza.

United States:

US President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled a comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict, receiving support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Both leaders are demanding Hamas approval of the proposal, with Netanyahu warning he will "finish the job" if Hamas rejects the plan. The conflict began following Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, which prompted a massive Israeli military response.

Here are the key elements of the peace proposal:

War Termination and Hostage Exchange

Israel would immediately halt military operations upon agreement, with Hamas given 72 hours to return all hostages taken during the October 7 attack, including remains of the deceased.

In exchange, Israel would release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, 1,700 Gaza residents detained during the conflict, and remains of 15 Palestinians for each deceased hostage returned.

Israel would gradually withdraw from Gaza in phases.

Trump-Led Transition Authority

Trump himself would lead a transitional "Board of Peace" in Gaza, with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair among its members.

This board would explore "exciting development ideas" and transform Gaza into a special economic zone with preferential tariff rates.

Trump has previously expressed interest in developing property in the Mediterranean territory, where the war has displaced nearly all of Gaza's two million residents and reduced most infrastructure to rubble.

Protection Against Forced Displacement

Despite calls from right-wing Israeli government ministers, Palestinians would not be forcibly removed from Gaza, nor would Israel annex the territory.

The plan states that the transitional authority will "encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza."

Hamas Exclusion with Conditional Amnesty

Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, would have no role in future governance.

However, Hamas members could receive amnesty if they commit to "peaceful coexistence" and surrender their weapons. They would also be permitted safe passage to exit Gaza.

International Security Presence

The proposal calls for an immediate deployment of an "international Stabilization Force" in Gaza, with support from Arab nations.

This force would train Palestinian police and ensure security coordination with Israel and neighboring Egypt.

Indonesia has previously indicated willingness to contribute troops to such an effort.

Ambiguous Future for Palestinian Authority and Statehood

While not ruling out a Palestinian state, despite Netanyahu's longstanding opposition, the plan acknowledges Palestinian aspirations for statehood.

"The conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood, which we recognize as the aspiration of the Palestinian people," states the plan.

It suggests a potential role for the Palestinian Authority after it completes a "reform program" and references a French-backed initiative to strengthen the Ramallah-based administration.

However, Netanyahu, speaking alongside Trump, expressed that he sees "no role whatsoever" for the Palestinian Authority without it "undergoing a radical and genuine transformation."