President Donald Trump and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed a sweeping, 20-point White House plan that administration officials believe can end Israel’s war in Gaza.
Netanyahu and Trump have warned Hamas to accept the deal, which would see the militant group relinquish its arms and role in Gaza politics.
Both leaders have threatened that if Hamas does not accept the US president’s terms, then Trump will let Israel “finish the job.” The militant group says it is studying the proposal.
“This can be done the easy way or it can be done the hard way, but it will be done," Netanyahu said.
The president’s latest proposal — walking back his previous goal of expelling Palestinians — follows a growing embrace of Palestinian statehood in defiance of American and Israeli opposition.
Trump’s plan would appoint him as the chair of a “board of peace” serving as an oversight body led by a committee that includes former British prime minister Tony Blair.
Netanyahu’s visit to the White House marks his fourth trip to Washington since Trump returned to office, with Israel once more seeking to shore up U.S. support amid growing international hostility to the devastation in Gaza.
Trump-Netanyahu meeting latest: Key Points
- Trump reveals 20-point plan for Gaza with US leading 'board of peace' for postwar governance
- Netanyahu vows Israel will 'finish the job' without Hamas support
- Tony Blair praises Trump plan as 'best chance' of ending Israel's war in Gaza
- Hamas official says group has not officially received plan
- Over 66,000 Palestinians killed in Israel-Hamas war, Gaza's Health Ministry says
India's Modi welcomes Trump's Gaza plan
05:45 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPrime minister Narendra Modi said India welcomes US president Donald Trump's announcement of the "comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict".
In a post on X, the Indian leader said that the plan provides a "viable pathway to long-term and sustainable peace, security and development for the Palestinian and Israeli people, as also for the larger West Asian region".
"We hope that all concerned will come together behind President Trump’s initiative and support this effort to end conflict and secure peace."
Congress members tell Rubio to protect Gaza flotilla
05:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarMember of Congress Rashida Tlaib has signed a letter along with 18 other members, urging secretary of state Marco Rubia to ensure the safe passage of the Global Sumud flotilla.
Tlaib, in a post on X, said the flotilla is bringing humanitarian aid to Palestinians starved to death by Israel in Gaza and it must be “fully protected” from attack.
“The law is clear: any attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla or its civilian crew is a clear and blatant violation of international law,” the letter read.
“The United States has an obligation to protect its citizens from foreign attack. We call on you to deter any further hostile actions against the flotilla and ensure the successful completion of its humanitarian mission.”
Italy and Spain have deployed navy ships to accompany the flotilla in case of rescue or humanitarian needs, but have said they will not engage militarily.
Greece's coastguard also monitored progress while the flotilla was in its rescue area, while Turkey deployed drones to monitor the ships.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is sailing to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians who are being starved to death by the Israeli government. They must be fully protected. I’m leading a letter to the Trump Administration demanding safe passage and calling for an end to the… pic.twitter.com/VMeOjzviEP
— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) September 29, 2025
In pics: Palestinians run for cover during an Israeli airstrike on a building in Gaza City
05:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Drones from Turkey circle Gaza aid flotilla
05:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarTurkey has joined Spain, Italy and Greece in monitoring an international flotilla carrying aid for Gaza that was sailing east across the Mediterranean Sea despite warnings from Israel to stop the mission.
Flight tracking websites showed that three long-endurance drones originating from Turkey's Corlu airbase have been circling over the flotilla for three days, highlighting the growing international interest in the boats which have vowed to breach an Israeli naval blockade around the embattled Gaza Strip.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of civilian boats carrying parliamentarians, lawyers and activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, was still hundreds of miles off the Gaza coastline yesterday.
But it was approaching an area where other flotillas have previously been intercepted, people on board said.
Italy and Spain have deployed navy ships to accompany the flotilla in case of rescue or humanitarian needs, but have said they will not engage militarily. Greece's coastguard had also monitored progress while the flotilla was in its rescue area.
Trump's Middle East envoy 'hopeful' about Gaza plan
04:45 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarSteve Witkoff, the Middle East envoy appointed by Donald Trump this year, told reporters that he has a positive feeling towards the Gaza peace plan.
“We have to set up success for them… This is a complicated deal to hand off from one government to another,” Witkoff told reporters.
“All of the stakeholders in this…. they want to see it happen. And the president believes it’s going to happen, and is dug in. That’s what really gives me hope. He gets to the finish line,” Witkoff added.
Analysis: Trump launches ‘incredible’ proposal for peace in Gaza. But will it go anywhere?
04:35 , Alex WoodwardNotably absent in Trump’s plan: No provision or guarantees for the creation of a Palestinian state— a key demand embraced by a wave of countries as the slaughter in Gaza reaches unprecedented proportions.
Instead, Trump’s plan somewhat confusingly suggests that, if and when Hamas is removed from power, and the Palestinian Authority “reforms” itself to be allowed back into some role of governance, then, and only then, “the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”
But again, no guarantees. No timelines. No details.
Trump launches ‘incredible’ proposal for peace in Gaza. But will it go anywhere?
VIDEO: Trump calls unconfirmed peace deal 'one of the great days in the history of civilization'
04:20 , Josh Marcus'The will negotiate endlessly': Foreign policy experts skeptical Trump plan will end war
04:05 , Josh MarcusSome commentators are skeptical that the Trump-Netanyahu plan to end the Gaza war really will put a stop to the devastating, two-year-old conflict.
Speaking to Abby Phillip on CNN on Monday evening, Council on Foreign Relations fellow Max Book predicted the deal, negotiated without one of its key parties, Hamas, could mean “they will negotiate endlessly while Israeli troops continue advancing in Gaza.”
“It basically requires their unconditional surrender,” Boot said of the Hamas role in the deal. “They’re unlikely to do that.”
Ana Kasparian, of The Young Turks show, warned the CNN panel that the deal could lead to even further escalation.
“I just think that this is essentially setting up a situation in which Israel can continue on with what they’ve been doing, essentially take over the Gaza Strip, annex the West Bank, and point to Hamas rejecting the deal as their excuse to do so,” she said.
Human rights analysts skeptical Israel will commit to lasting peace under 'vague' but sweeping plans
03:50 , Alex Woodward“The world desperately needs an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, whose people have endured unspeakable horror over these past two years,” according to Matt Duss, executive vice president at the Center for International Policy and a former policy adviser to Senator Bernie Sanders.
“Unfortunately, the 21-point plan released by the Trump administration today, while thankfully walking back from Trump’s previous goal of expelling Gaza’s people, contains numerous opportunities for Netanyahu to renege on his commitments, as he has repeatedly done in the past,” he said in a statement. “It is not clear who has agreed to which terms of Trump’s plan, or whether Trump himself understands what is in it. Trump and Netanyahu’s remarks today were a litany of lies about the last 30 years, not a promising foundation for peace.”
Raed Jarrar, advocacy director with Democracy for the Arab World Now, said the “explicit guarantee that ‘‘no one will be forced to leave Gaza’ marks Netanyahu’s strategic defeat — Palestinians will remain in their homeland despite paying an unconscionable price.
But the plan’s “vague withdrawal conditions with no enforcement mechanisms on Israel gives Netanyahu exactly what he needs to scuttle or indefinitely delay any real peace, just as Israel has done with every previous agreement,” added DAWN’s Israel-Palestine director Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man.
“Without ending the siege on Gaza, without guaranteeing sea access and connections to the West Bank, and without addressing the root causes of occupation and apartheid, this plan may pause the genocide but leaves the conditions for future violence firmly in place,” he added.
Watch: The Independent's Andrew Feinberg unpacks Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza
03:40 , Alex WoodwardTony Blair praises Trump plan as 'best chance' of ending Israel's war in Gaza
03:20 , Alex WoodwardFormer British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who could join a “peace” committee to govern postwar Gaza under a White House plan, has praised the proposal as the best chance of ending “two years of war, misery and suffering.”
“President Trump has put down a bold and intelligent plan which, if agreed, can end the war, bring immediate relief to Gaza, the chance of a brighter and better future for its people, whilst ensuring Israel’s absolute and enduring security and the release of all hostages,” he said in his first public statement on the issue.
“It offers us the best chance of ending two years of war, misery and suffering and I thank President Trump for his leadership, determination and commitment,” he added.
Under the plan, Trump would chair a so-called Board of Peace that would serve as an oversight committee for local governance.
Trump steering the plan is a “huge signal of support and confidence in the future of Gaza, of the possibility of Israelis and Palestinians finding a path to peace, and of the potential for a broader regional and global alliance to counter the forces of extremism and promote peace and prosperity between nations,” according to Blair.
Statement by Tony Blair in response to President Trump’s announcement https://t.co/otFpDGWJca pic.twitter.com/bmX8XkFizF
— Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (@InstituteGC) September 29, 2025
Trump shares profane spoof video of Schumer and Jeffries after failed shutdown negotiations
02:57 , Josh Marcus
As President Trump touted one negotiated plan on Monday, another appears to be faltering.
Despite a meeting between GOP leadership and the top Democrats in Congress, the government looks set to head into a shutdown this week.
To mark the occasion, Donald Trump shared a spoof video of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
The clip, which appeared to use AI-generated audio of the two leaders, featured them making a profane rant that echoed elements of the racist Great Replacement conspiracy theory that Democrats are supporting illegal immigration to gain more future voters.
Trump, Vance and Republicans point fingers and blame Democrats for potential shutdown
Trump puts an ‘I’ in ‘peace plan’
02:20 , Josh MarcusThe president of the United States barely stopped to consider the possibility of failure on Monday as he touted his 20-point plan for peace in Gaza alongside Benjamin Netanyahu and centered himself in the spotlight he’d been chasing for months.
Since the 2024 election the Republican twice-president has been publicly pining for his shot at ending a conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Trump has spent almost the entire first eight months of his presidency coming up with different conflicts to “solve” in lieu of actually delivering on the two promises he made during the campaign: to end wars in Ukraine and Gaza. In Europe, the respective parties seem no closer to peace as the White House’s rhetoric around Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, seems to be souring.
On Monday, Trump stood beside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and declared that peace was on the horizon, if only Hamas were to accept the terms engineered without their representatives’ consultation. A potential peace deal would create a security buffer zone separating Israeli and Palestinian territory while halting the war “immediately” and beginning a multi-stage withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
Read the full analysis from John Bowden.
Trump puts an ‘I’ in ‘peace plan’ as he makes it all about him
A return to the 'Trump Riviera' in Gaza?
01:50 , Josh MarcusOne of the many points in the White House plan to end the war in Gaza calls for a “Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energize Gaza,” based on the opinion of experts who have “helped birth some of the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East.”
The language sounds like a watered down version of a Trump claim from earlier this year that the U.S. would take a “long-term ownership position” in the Gaza Strip and develop it into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” while millions of Palestinians were relocated outside their homeland.
“Everybody I've spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent — in a really magnificent area,” Trump said in February during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Some critics called the proposal an attempt at “ethnic cleansing.”
Earlier this year, Holly Baxter looked at the complications of rebuilding Gaza.
Forget Trump’s Riviera. This is how Gaza will actually be rebuilt
'There is no negotiation': Trump envoy on Gaza deal
01:30 , Josh MarcusThe Trump administration is adopting a now-or-never approach towards Hamas over the U.S.-Israeli 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza.
The plan calls for the disarming and political end of Hamas in Gaza, but Trump officials appear to remain optimistic the militant group will accept the terms and effectively surrender.
“He will take it, and he will accept it…there is no negotiation,” US hostage envoy Adam Boehler told Fox News on Monday evening, speaking of Hamas political chief Khaled Meshal. “That’s it. Everyone wins here.”
"I've seen the negotiations back and forth with Hamas,” Boehler added. “[The deal] gives everything that the Palestinians need, that the people in Gaza need."
Trump, Vance and GOP blame Democrats for potential government shutdown
01:10 , Josh MarcusPresident Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Republican leaders in the House and Senate had a simple message as Washington barrels toward a government shutdown: It’s all the Democrats’ fault.
The government runs out of money at midnight on Tuesday. As it stands, the House of Representatives has not been in session since two Fridays ago when Republicans passed a continuing resolution.
“We have disagreements about tax policy, but you don’t shut the government down,” Vice President JD Vance told reporters after a meeting with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
The meeting came after Trump had initially canceled a meeting with Schumer and Jeffries, whom he called “Minority Radical Left Democrats.” After Monday’s meeting, Vance proceeded to attack the minority party.
Eric Garcia has the details.
Trump, Vance and Republicans point fingers and blame Democrats for potential shutdown
A 'just peace' or a 'recipe to blow up' Gaza?: Palestinian groups react to Trump plan
Tuesday 30 September 2025 00:55 , Josh MarcusThe Trump-Netanyahu plan has prompted a wide range of reaction within the Palestinian world.
Hamas, which is expected to disarm and exit from Gaza politics under the plan or face continued Israeli bombardment, told Al Jazeera it will begin studying the 20-point proposal.
A leader from another militant group, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, meanwhile, has derided the plan as a “recipe to blow up the region.”
The Palestinian Authority, which exerts partial control over the West Bank, predictably greeted the plan with a softer reception.
If the PA completes a series of reforms and holds elections, it could take over leadership of Gaza under the plan.
The group said the White House proposal is “paving [the] way for just peace on the basis of [a] two-state solution,” the government WAFA news agency reports.
READ IN FULL: Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza
Tuesday 30 September 2025 00:35 , Josh MarcusDonald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined a multi-point plan on Monday proposing terms to end the war in Gaza.
If Hamas does not accept the deal, Israeli has threatened to use continued force to “finish the job” in a conflict that has already killed tens of thousands of civilians.
The proposal includes the return of hostages, the disarming and political removal of Hamas, and an international oversight body presiding over the territory for an unspecific period of time.
Here’s the full plan, via the White House.
- Gaza will be a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors.
- Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.
- If both sides agree to this proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed upon line to prepare for a hostage release. During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal.
- Within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned.
- Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 life sentence prisoners plus 1700 Gazans who were detained after October 7th 2023, including all women and children detained in that context. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.
- Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.
- Upon acceptance of this agreement, full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip. At a minimum, aid quantities will be consistent with what was included in the January 19, 2025, agreement regarding humanitarian aid, including rehabilitation of infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage), rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries, and entry of necessary equipment to remove rubble and open roads.
- Entry of distribution and aid in the Gaza Strip will proceed without interference from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not associated in any manner with either party. Opening the Rafah crossing in both directions will be subject to the same mechanism implemented under the January 19, 2025 agreement.
- Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people in Gaza. This committee will be made up of qualified Palestinians and international experts, with oversight and supervision by a new international transitional body, the “Board of Peace,” which will be headed and chaired by President Donald J. Trump, with other members and heads of State to be announced, including Former Prime Minister Tony Blair. This body will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until such time as the Palestinian Authority has completed its reform program, as outlined in various proposals, including President Trump’s peace plan in 2020 and the Saudi-French proposal, and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza. This body will call on best international standards to create modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conducive to attracting investment.
- A Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energize Gaza will be created by convening a panel of experts who have helped birth some of the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East. Many thoughtful investment proposals and exciting development ideas have been crafted by well-meaning international groups, and will be considered to synthesize the security and governance frameworks to attract and facilitate these investments that will create jobs, opportunity, and hope for future Gaza.
- A special economic zone will be established with preferred tariff and access rates to be negotiated with participating countries.
- No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return. We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.
- Hamas and other factions agree to not have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form. All military, terror, and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, will be destroyed and not rebuilt. There will be a process of demilitarization of Gaza under the supervision of independent monitors, which will include placing weapons permanently beyond use through an agreed process of decommissioning, and supported by an internationally funded buy back and reintegration program all verified by the independent monitors. New Gaza will be fully committed to building a prosperous economy and to peaceful coexistence with their neighbors.
- A guarantee will be provided by regional partners to ensure that Hamas, and the factions, comply with their obligations and that New Gaza poses no threat to its neighbors or its people.
- The United States will work with Arab and international partners to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) to immediately deploy in Gaza. The ISF will train and provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza, and will consult with Jordan and Egypt who have extensive experience in this field. This force will be the long-term internal security solution. The ISF will work with Israel and Egypt to help secure border areas, along with newly trained Palestinian police forces. It is critical to prevent munitions from entering Gaza and to facilitate the rapid and secure flow of goods to rebuild and revitalize Gaza. A deconfliction mechanism will be agreed upon by the parties.
- Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza. As the ISF establishes control and stability, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will withdraw based on standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization that will be agreed upon between the IDF, ISF, the guarantors, and the Unites States, with the objective of a secure Gaza that no longer poses a threat to Israel, Egypt, or its citizens. Practically, the IDF will progressively hand over the Gaza territory it occupies to the ISF according to an agreement they will make with the transitional authority until they are withdrawn completely from Gaza, save for a security perimeter presence that will remain until Gaza is properly secure from any resurgent terror threat.
- In the event Hamas delays or rejects this proposal, the above, including the scaled-up aid operation, will proceed in the terror-free areas handed over from the IDF to the ISF.
- An interfaith dialogue process will be established based on the values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence to try and change mindsets and narratives of Palestinians and Israelis by emphasizing the benefits that can be derived from peace.
- While Gaza re-development advances and when the PA reform program is faithfully carried out, 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.
- The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence.
And for more on the plan, here’s Andrew Feinberg’s full story.
Netanyahu sends firm message to Hamas after Trump unveils peace plan
Human rights analysts skeptical Israel will commit to lasting peace under 'vague' but sweeping plans
Tuesday 30 September 2025 00:15 , Alex WoodwardCivil rights groups and analysts are closely studying the sweeping White House plan for a post-war Gaza.
But there is deep skepticism over whether Israel will commit to a lasting peace — with Trump all but giving Israel a green light to continue its war against Hamas if it does not agree to Trump’s proposal.
“The world desperately needs an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, whose people have endured unspeakable horror over these past two years,” according to Matt Duss, executive vice president at the Center for International Policy and a former policy adviser to Senator Bernie Sanders.
“Unfortunately, the 21-point plan released by the Trump administration today, while thankfully walking back from Trump’s previous goal of expelling Gaza’s people, contains numerous opportunities for Netanyahu to renege on his commitments, as he has repeatedly done in the past,” he said in a statement. “It is not clear who has agreed to which terms of Trump’s plan, or whether Trump himself understands what is in it. Trump and Netanyahu’s remarks today were a litany of lies about the last 30 years, not a promising foundation for peace.”
Raed Jarrar, advocacy director with Democracy for the Arab World Now, said the “explicit guarantee that ‘‘no one will be forced to leave Gaza’ marks Netanyahu’s strategic defeat — Palestinians will remain in their homeland despite paying an unconscionable price.
But the plan’s “vague withdrawal conditions with no enforcement mechanisms on Israel gives Netanyahu exactly what he needs to scuttle or indefinitely delay any real peace, just as Israel has done with every previous agreement,” added DAWN’s Israel-Palestine director Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man.
“Without ending the siege on Gaza, without guaranteeing sea access and connections to the West Bank, and without addressing the root causes of occupation and apartheid, this plan may pause the genocide but leaves the conditions for future violence firmly in place,” he added.
Blair's European critics on left ravage Trump 'peace' deal
Tuesday 30 September 2025 00:00 , Josh MarcusThe White House may be framing its plan to end the war in Gaza as a crowning diplomatic achievement, but it is already coming in for heavy criticism from left-leaning critics in Europe, who have seized on former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair’s proposed role on an international “peace board” that would oversee the post-conflict transition period.
“Tony Blair’s catastrophic decision to invade Iraq cost thousands upon thousands of lives,” MP and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wrote on X. “He shouldn’t be anywhere near the Middle East, let alone Gaza. It is not up to Blair, Trump or Netanyahu to decide the future of Gaza. That is up to the people of Palestine.”
Meanwhile, Yanis Varoufakis, the prominent former finance minister of Greece, accused the plan of installing Blair as “the Empire's Regent of Gaza,” presiding over a plan he called a “White Settler Colonial” project.
Macron says Hamas has 'no choice' but to agree to Trump plan
Monday 29 September 2025 23:45 , Alex WoodwardFrench President Emmanuel Macron is welcoming Trump’s plan, saying that Hamas has “no choice” but to agree to it.
“I expect Israel to engage resolutely on this basis. Hamas has no choice but to immediately release all hostages and follow this plan,” he wrote.
I welcome President @realDonaldTrump’s commitment to ending the war in Gaza and securing the release of all hostages.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 29, 2025
I expect Israel to engage resolutely on this basis. Hamas has no choice but to immediately release all hostages and follow this plan.…
Watch: The Independent's Andrew Feinberg unpacks Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza
Monday 29 September 2025 23:15 , Alex WoodwardEgypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates celebrate Trump plan
Monday 29 September 2025 22:48 , Alex WoodwardA joint statement from the foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates says the nations welcome Trump’s “sincere efforts” to end Israel’s war in Gaza.
The statement says the countries are prepared to “reaffirm their joint commitment to work with the United States to end the war in Gaza through a comprehensive deal that ensures unrestricted delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid to Gaza, no displacement of the Palestinians, the release of hostages, a security mechanism that guarantees the security of all sides, full Israeli withdrawal, rebuilds Gaza and creates a path for a just peace on the basis of the two state solution, under which Gaza is fully integrated with the West Bank in a Palestinian state in accordance with international law as key to achieving regional stability and security.”
Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of Qatar, Jordan, UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt welcome US President’s sincere efforts to end the war in Gaza#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/TaBIDF8ysW
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) September 29, 2025
Analysis: Trump launches ‘incredible’ proposal for peace in Gaza. But will it go anywhere?
Monday 29 September 2025 22:42 , Bel TrewNotably absent in Trump’s plan: No provision or guarantees for the creation of a Palestinian state— a key demand embraced by a wave of countries as the slaughter in Gaza reaches unprecedented proportions.
Instead, Trump’s plan somewhat confusingly suggests that, if and when Hamas is removed from power, and the Palestinian Authority “reforms” itself to be allowed back into some role of governance, then, and only then, “the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”
But again, no guarantees. No timelines. No details.
Trump launches ‘incredible’ proposal for peace in Gaza. But will it go anywhere?
Tony Blair praises Trump plan as 'best chance' of ending Israel's war in Gaza
Monday 29 September 2025 22:01 , Alex WoodwardFormer British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who could join a “peace” committee to govern postwar Gaza under a White House plan, has praised the proposal as the best chance of ending “two years of war, misery and suffering.”
“President Trump has put down a bold and intelligent plan which, if agreed, can end the war, bring immediate relief to Gaza, the chance of a brighter and better future for its people, whilst ensuring Israel’s absolute and enduring security and the release of all hostages,” he said in his first public statement on the issue.
“It offers us the best chance of ending two years of war, misery and suffering and I thank President Trump for his leadership, determination and commitment,” he added.
Under the plan, Trump would chair a so-called Board of Peace that would serve as an oversight committee for local governance.
Trump steering the plan is a “huge signal of support and confidence in the future of Gaza, of the possibility of Israelis and Palestinians finding a path to peace, and of the potential for a broader regional and global alliance to counter the forces of extremism and promote peace and prosperity between nations,” according to Blair.
Statement by Tony Blair in response to President Trump’s announcement https://t.co/otFpDGWJca pic.twitter.com/bmX8XkFizF
— Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (@InstituteGC) September 29, 2025
Netanyahu to Hamas as Trump unveils 20-point Gaza 'peace plan': We can do this the easy way or the hard way
Monday 29 September 2025 21:47 , Alex WoodwardNetanyahu offered Hamas a take-it-or-leave it approach to a 20-point proposal from Donald Trump that would require Hamas to disarm and give up any role in Gaza’s postwar governance.
Andrew Feinberg has more from the White House:
Netanyahu sends firm message to Hamas after Trump unveils peace plan
Trump's plan walks back previous goal to expel Palestinians
Monday 29 September 2025 21:34 , Alex WoodwardTrump’s 20-point plan explicitly states that Palestinians will not be “forced to leave” Gaza, walking back Trump’s comments earlier this year stating that the United States will “clean out that whole thing”and “take over” and “own” the besieged strip.
Now, “no one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return,” according to the proposal.
“We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza,” the plan states.
Breaking: Hamas reviewing Trump plan 'in good faith'
Monday 29 September 2025 21:19 , Alex WoodwardQatar’s prime minister and Egypt’s intelligence chief have met with Hamas negotiators to discuss Trump’s 20-point plan, according to Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst.
Hamas negotiators said they would review it “in good faith” and respond accordingly, he reported.
Families of hostages praise Trump plan
Monday 29 September 2025 21:17 , Alex WoodwardThe group that represents the families of people held hostage in Gaza have praised the White House plan for an ostensible end to Israel’s war.
“After almost two years of unimaginable anguish, we stand at a historic turning point,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum wrote on social media.
They also called on Netanyahu “to immediately order a cessation of fighting in Gaza” and urged world leaders to continue to apply pressure on Hamas.
“The world must apply maximum pressure to ensure Hamas commits to this historic opportunity for peace,” the group wrote. “Yet even as we celebrate this breakthrough, we will not rest until the last hostage is back home. This is our moral obligation. All 48 hostages must return.”
After almost two years of unimaginable anguish, we stand at a historic turning point.
— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) September 29, 2025
We are profoundly grateful to President Trump for his unwavering commitment to our families and the state of Israel, and for achieving what we have been desperately seeking since October 7 – a…
Hamas official says group has not officially received plan
Monday 29 September 2025 20:39 , Alex WoodwardAn official for Hamas told Reuters that “Hamas hasn’t yet received the plan officially; nothing beyond media reports.”
Trump and Netanyahu made it clear that the latest White House plan is conditioned on the effective elimination of Hamas, both politically and militarily, after months of statements asserting that it does not plan to disarm.
If Hamas does not agree to the plan, Trump will allow Israel to “do what you have to do.”
“Israel would have my full backing to finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas,” Trump said.
Trump and Netanyahu leave press conference without taking any questions
Monday 29 September 2025 20:12 , Alex WoodwardNeither Trump nor Netanyahu agreed to take questions from the room of reporters following remarks on the White House plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza.
Trump even suggested that Netanyahu could hear from a “friendly” Israeli media outlet, but Netanyahu said the president’s instinct to leave without hearing from reporters was in their best interest.
Neither the president nor prime minister responded to shouted questions from The Independent’s White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg about whether any Palestinians were consulted.
Trump calls Gaza plan Netanyahu's 'crowning achievement'
Monday 29 September 2025 20:02 , Alex WoodwardAs Trump handed off to Netanyahu, the president called the White House’s postwar plan the Israeli prime minister’s “crowning achievement.”
Netanyahu said the plan is a “critical step towards ending the war in Gaza” that sets “the stage for dramatically advancing peace in the Middle East.”
The plan “achieves our war aims,” Netanyahu said, including releasing all hostages, dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities and governance, and ensuring “Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.”
Israel will gradually withdraw from Gaza but remain on the security perimeter indefinitely, he said.
“But if Hamas rejects your plan ... then Israel will finish the job, by itself,” he said.
“This can be done the easy way, or it can be done the hard way,” he said.
Trump rants about Joe Biden, UN speech and his pronunciation of 'Abraham' in remarks on Gaza peace plan
Monday 29 September 2025 19:57 , Alex WoodwardTrump derailed from his prepared remarks on the 20-step White House plan for peace in Gaza to ramble about his appearance at the United Nations and a “dead” teleprompter while comparing his speech to his predecessor.
"The United Nations was interesting because as you know, a few days ago they introduced me, 'ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States.' I'm looking at my teleprompter and that thing was dead, stone cold dead,” he said.
“I actually got good marks,” he said. “Do you think Biden could've done that? I don't think so."
The president also repeatedly noted his pronunciation of Abraham, joking it’s how “the real people” would say it.
“I would say Abraham but it is so nicer when you say ‘Abraham.’ So much more elegant,” he said.
He spoke for roughly 30 minutes uninterrupted.
White House unveils Gaza map under plan to end Israel's war
Monday 29 September 2025 19:50 , Alex WoodwardThe White House released a map to accompany its 20-point plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza:
Trump gives Netanyahu 'full backing to do what you have to do' if Hamas does not agree to proposal
Monday 29 September 2025 19:47 , Alex WoodwardIn his remarks, Trump acknowledged that Hamas has not yet agreed to the just-unveiled White House proposal, though he said he is “feeling that we're going to have a positive answer.”
But if not, he said: “Bibi, you'd have my full backing to do what you would have to do.”
Trump says 'very, very close' to ceasefire deal
Monday 29 September 2025 19:35 , Alex WoodwardAs he began remarks at a joint press conference alongside Netanyahu, Trump declared officials are “very, very close” and potentially “beyond very close” to a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
He also said a plan is underway for “eternal peace in the Middle East.”
“I’m hearing Hamas wants to get this done, too,” he said.
Trump's press conference begins as president hails 'potentially one of the great days of civilization'
Monday 29 September 2025 19:32 , Alex Woodward
Hamas must not have 'any role' in Gaza's governance, White House plan says
Monday 29 September 2025 19:26 , Alex WoodwardUnder Trump’s plan for ending Israel’s war in Gaza Hamas must agree “to not have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form,” according to the White House.
“All military, terror and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, will be destroyed and not rebuilt,” the plan states.
Hamas has previously publicly refused demands to disarm.
Breaking: Trump reveals 20-point plan for Gaza with US leading 'board of peace' for postwar governance
Monday 29 September 2025 19:18 , Alex WoodwardThe White House has revealed a 21-point plan for the end of Israel’s war in Gaza, which has not yet been approved by Palestinian authorities.
The plan would appoint a “board of peace” chaired by Donald Trump as an oversight body led by a committee that includes Tony Blair.
That board would oversee a “temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee.”
If all sides agree to the plan, “the war will immediately end,” according to the plan.
“During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal,” the plan states.
After 72 hours of Israel’s approval, ”all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned,” it says.
More to come
White House shares image of Qatar call
Monday 29 September 2025 19:08 , Alex WoodwardPresident Donald J. Trump hosts a trilateral phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani of Qatar in the Oval Office. pic.twitter.com/ekbKg3WDZQ
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 29, 2025
White House confirms Qatar call and Netanyahu apology
Monday 29 September 2025 18:49 , Alex WoodwardThe White House has confirmed a call hosted by Trump with Netanyahu and Qatar prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani during Netanyahu’s meeting in Washington.
As a “first step” towards a trilateral mechanism to “to enhance coordination, improve communication, resolve mutual grievances, and strengthen collective efforts to prevent threat,” Netanyahu “expressed his deep regret that Israel’s missile strike against Hamas targets in Qatar unintentionally killed a Qatari serviceman,” according to a White House summary of the call.
“He further expressed regret that, in targeting Hamas leadership during hostage negotiations, Israel violated Qatari sovereignty and affirmed that Israel will not conduct such an attack again in the future,” the readout says.
Al Thani “welcomed these assurances” and both Al Thani and Netanyahu emphasized their “readiness to continue contributing meaningfully to regional security and stability.”
Trump meanwhile “expressed his desire to put Israeli-Qatar relations on a positive track after years of mutual grievances and miscommunications,” according to the White House.
Trump cabinet officials and Jared Kushner expected to join briefing
Monday 29 September 2025 18:45 , Alex WoodwardExpected to attend the briefing, per the White House press pool:
- Vice President JD Vance
- State Secretary Marco Rubio
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
- White House chief of staff Susie Wiles
- Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff
- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine
- Trump’s son in law Jared Kushner
Netanyahu's apology to Qatar did not apologize for targeting Hamas: report
Monday 29 September 2025 18:35 , Alex WoodwardNetanyahu’s apology call to Qatar appeared to be a key Qatari condition for continuing to serve as a mediator with Hamas as part of a deal to end Israel’s war in Gaza and free hostages.
But Netanyahu did not apologize for targeting Hamas, according to CNN.
Instead, he apologized to the Qatari prime minister — on a call that took place during Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump at the White House — for violating Qatar’s sovereignty in carrying out a military strike.
A press conference with Trump and Netanyahu is set to begin imminently.
Watch: Trump and Netanyahu hold join press conference from the White House
Monday 29 September 2025 18:10 , Alex WoodwardA joint press conference between Trump and Netanyahu is scheduled to begin at 1:15 p.m. ET.
Photos: Demonstrators demand end to Gaza's war outside White House as Trump meets with Netanyahu
Monday 29 September 2025 17:58 , Alex Woodward
Netanyahu called to apologize to Qatar during White House meeting with Trump, report says
Monday 29 September 2025 17:48 , Alex WoodwardAs reports emerge of a Qatari delegation heading to the White House, Netanyahu is said to have called Qatar Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani to apologize for violating Qatari sovereignty after striking Doha, according to Axios.
Netanyahu reportedly expressed regret for the killing of a Qatari security guard, the outlet reported.
That call took place as Netanyahu met with Trump in Washington; the pair are expected to hold a press conference at 1:15 p.m. ET.
White House says 'both sides have to give up a little bit' ahead of Netanyahu meeting
Monday 29 September 2025 17:30 , Alex WoodwardWhite House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox & Friends Monday ahead of Trump’s meeting with Netanyahu that “both sides have to give up a little bit” as the pair discuss postwar plans for Gaza and the administration’s 21-point plan to draw Israel’s war to a close.
“It might leave the table a little bit unhappy, but that’s ultimately how we’re going to end this conflict. It must end at the negotiating table,” she said.
“To reach a good deal… both sides have to give up a little.”@PressSec says the Trump admin has drafted a 21-point plan to end the Israel-Hamas war as @POTUS prepares to meet with PM Netanyahu today. pic.twitter.com/wfY9vhrVZp
— FOX & Friends (@foxandfriends) September 29, 2025
What is Tony Blair’s plan for Gaza and will it work?
Monday 29 September 2025 17:16 , Bel TrewThe former British PM is said to be offering to lead any interim government in Gaza for up to five years, but the proposal has yet to be shared with regional actors and may not be accepted by Israel.
Watch: Trump says he is confident of a Gaza peace deal being done as Netanyahu arrives at White House
Monday 29 September 2025 16:55 , Alex WoodwardWhile Trump meets with Netanyahu, US lambasts Palestinian statehood to UN security council
Monday 29 September 2025 16:44 , Alex WoodwardUS ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz is addressing the body’s security council while Trump meets with Netanyahu at the White House.
In remarks Monday, Waltz says a “constant drumbeat of meetings” at the council “do nothing” to bring Israel’s war in Gaza to a close, despite the United States’ repeated vetoes of ceasefire demands.
“If we want to end the war, we need to place responsibility where it belongs: with the terrorist organization known as Hamas,” he said.
Hamas sees recognition of a Palestinian state as “winning,” he said.
U.N. Ambassador @michaelgwaltz at Security Council meeting: "Members of this body rewarded Hamas for its horrible atrocities, including October 7th, by unilaterally recognizing a Palestinian State. Hamas sees actions like that as winning." pic.twitter.com/MZEMN9zqNu
— CSPAN (@cspan) September 29, 2025
