Trump and Netanyahu Announce "Gaza Peace Initiative"... Major Turning Point After Two Years (Comprehensive)

War to End Within 72 Hours If Hamas Agrees
"Palestinian Committee" to Temporarily Govern Gaza
Hamas's Agreement Uncertain... NYT: "Unlikely to Accept"

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed on September 29 (local time) to implement President Trump's "Gaza Strip Peace Initiative." If Hamas, the other warring party and a Palestinian militant faction, also agrees to the peace initiative, it will bring an end to the nearly two-year-long Gaza Strip war. However, it remains uncertain whether Hamas will accept the proposal.

President Trump held a joint press conference at the White House following a summit with Prime Minister Netanyahu, where he mentioned his peace initiative and announced that Netanyahu had agreed to it.

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

He stated, "If Hamas accepts, my proposal stipulates that all hostages will be released immediately, and no later than 72 hours," adding, "Therefore, the hostages will return, which means an immediate end to the war."

On this day, the White House announced a peace initiative consisting of 20 provisions. If both Israel and Hamas agree, the war will end immediately, and all hostages will be released within 72 hours. Residents of Gaza and others detained by Israel will also be freed. Afterward, Hamas's military capabilities will be dismantled, and Israeli forces will withdraw in stages.

After the war, the Gaza Strip will be temporarily governed by a non-political "Palestinian Committee." This committee will be supervised by the "Peace Committee," an international organization chaired by President Trump and involving former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, among others. According to President Trump, this initiative has received support from major Arab countries.

President Trump said, "There is always a possibility that Hamas may reject this agreement," but added, "Everyone else has accepted it. However, I think we will get a positive response from Hamas."

Prime Minister Netanyahu stated, "Today, we have taken an important step toward ending the war and have set the stage for dramatically advancing peace in the Middle East," adding, "I support your plan to end the Gaza Strip war."

With Prime Minister Netanyahu's agreement to the peace initiative, if Hamas also consents, an end to the Gaza Strip war will become a reality. President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu strongly urged Hamas to accept the peace initiative.

Prime Minister Netanyahu warned that if Hamas rejects the agreement or accepts it but then effectively violates it, "Israel will complete the mission on its own."

President Trump stated that if Hamas rejects his peace initiative, "Netanyahu, you will receive even more full support in doing what you need to do," indicating his intention to support Israeli military action.

Hamas has not yet issued an official statement regarding the peace initiative. According to the Associated Press, citing sources, President Trump's peace initiative has been delivered to the Hamas negotiating team, and Hamas is reportedly reviewing it in earnest.

According to Reuters, Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi said in an interview with Al Jazeera Mubasher TV immediately after the joint press conference that he had not yet received any documents related to the peace initiative.

Some observers believe it will be difficult for Hamas to accept the peace initiative. The New York Times explained, "Although the plan calls for the release of hostages within 72 hours, the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawal remains unclear, and it specifically requires the disarmament of Hamas," adding, "It appears unlikely that Hamas will accept this plan."

There are also criticisms that the initiative favors Israel, as it excludes the Palestinian Authority (PA), which is recognized by Arab states, from postwar governance of Gaza. However, the PA has issued a statement supporting the peace initiative.

Meanwhile, according to the White House, President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu held a three-way phone call with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on the same day. During the call, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed regret over the airstrikes on Qatar.

An Israeli source explained to CNN that this apology was part of an effort to pressure Qatar to urge Hamas to accept President Trump's proposed "Gaza Strip Peace Initiative."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.