Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he supported President Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza during a press conference at the White House on Monday, with both leaders saying it was now up to Hamas to agree.
The big picture: The plan the White House released on Monday includes a step-by-step process for ending the war and governing Gaza into the future — initially with Trump chairing a "peace board" for the enclave.
Driving the news: "If Hamas rejects the deal, Bibi you will have our full backing to do what you have to do," Trump said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.
- Trump claimed Netanyahu "understands its time" to end the war. "We have to get Hamas, but I think we're going to be able to do that," Trump said, calling on Arab and Muslim leaders to help get the deal across the line.
- Trump spoke for nearly a half hour before turning to Netanyahu to speak. "I support your plan to end the war in Gaza, which achieves our war aims," Netanyahu said.
- They did not take questions.
Breaking it down: An updated peace plan released by the White House on Monday mentions a technocratic government made up of Palestinians, to be supervised by a "board of peace" led by Trump and including former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair.
- Longer term, the plan envisions the Palestinian Authority taking control of Gaza and leaves open the possibility of a Palestinian state. Trump noted during the press conference that Netanyahu had been "clear about his opposition to a Palestinian state."
- Both Israel and Arab countries have been seeking changes to the text over the last several days, with issues like the demilitarization of Hamas and the involvement of the PA in the future governance of Gaza as sticking points.
- It's not clear whether those negotiations have actually concluded or whether what Netanyahu thinks he agreed to fully matches what the Arab states support — let alone Hamas.
Friction point: Netanyahu said Israel would only be required to make a "modest withdrawal" after the deal is signed before all remaining hostages would be released.
- If Hamas does not agree to the deal or fails to implement it, "we will finish the job," he said.
- Netanyahu's remarks seemed intended in large part at appeasing his own domestic audience, particularly hardliners in his coalition.
Zoom in: More details from the outline the White House released during Trump and Netanyahu's meeting:
- It calls on Israeli forces to withdraw "to the agreed upon line," with the remaining hostages then released within 72 hours. Israel would also release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in its custody.
- "Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty" and be allowed to leave Gaza if they wish, according to the outline. Hamas would have no role in governing the enclave.
- There would be a "process of demilitarization" in Gaza and the U.S. would "work with Arab and international partners" to develop a temporary international security force, per the outline.
- Aid into Gaza will be significantly increased, including through the UN. The outline also mentions a "Trump economic development plan" for Gaza.
Behind the scenes: Netanyahu called Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Monday during his meeting with Trump and apologized for violating Qatari sovereignty in Israel's recent strike on Doha, a source familiar told Axios.
- An Israeli apology over the strike was a key Qatari condition for resuming its mediation with Hamas. Trump held a call with the emir of Qatar before Netanyahu's arrival at the White House.
Between the lines: Many in the White House have seen Netanyahu up to now as the biggest barrier to peace in Gaza.
- "Everyone — and I mean everyone — is exasperated with Bibi," one Trump adviser told Axios ahead of the visit.
- U.S. officials claimed Trump was prepared to publicly break with Netanyahu over Gaza if he didn't endorse the plan.
Go deeper: More details on what's in the plan
This breaking news story has been updated throughout.
