Gaza peace proposal: Did Netanyahu move away from Trump's plan? What he said on Palestinian statehood

Hours after praising US President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected any suggestion that the agreement paves the way towards a Palestinian state. Speaking in a video message from Washington following his White House meeting with Trump, the Israeli leader presented the proposal as a breakthrough but also appeared to misrepresent parts of it.
“It was a historic visit,” Netanyahu said. “Instead of Hamas isolating us, we turned things around and isolated Hamas. Now the whole world, including the Arab and Muslim world, is pressuring Hamas to accept the terms that we created together with Trump, to bring back all the hostages — the living and the dead — while the IDF stays in the Strip.”



The White House text, released earlier on Monday, sets out a phased Israeli withdrawal in Gaza to be replaced by an international stabilisation force, not an indefinite IDF presence.

Also read: What is Tony Blair's role in Trump's Gaza plan?

Denying Palestinian statehood

Asked in the video whether the agreement meant he had accepted the establishment of a Palestinian state, Netanyahu replied firmly: “Absolutely not. It’s not written in the agreement.” He added: “We said we would strongly oppose a Palestinian state,” claiming Trump also agreed it would be a “massive prize for terror.”


But the plan published by the White House explicitly leaves open a “credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood” once Gaza is redeveloped and the Palestinian Authority implements reforms. That conditional reference was welcomed by Arab and European governments, though it is staunchly opposed by members of Netanyahu’s coalition such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who reiterated his “red lines” against any role for the Palestinian Authority or steps towards statehood.

What the plan entails

Trump unveiled the plan alongside Netanyahu, describing peace in the Middle East as “beyond very close” and one of the “great days ever in civilisation.” Under its terms, Hamas would be required to disarm in exchange for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the start of large-scale humanitarian aid and reconstruction.

Also read: Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan — Explained

Within 72 hours of Israel’s acceptance, all hostages — living and dead — must be returned. In return, Israel would release 250 life-sentence prisoners, 1,700 detainees from Gaza, and transfer the remains of Palestinians. Hamas members who disarm and pledge peaceful coexistence would be granted amnesty or safe passage abroad.

The territory would then be administered by a technocratic Palestinian committee under the supervision of a new “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump and including figures such as former UK prime minister Tony Blair. The committee would oversee reconstruction, while an international stabilisation force would gradually replace the Israeli military inside Gaza.

Hamas negotiators said they would study the proposal “in good faith” but the group has previously rejected demands to disarm without a complete Israeli withdrawal. On the ground in Gaza, many civilians expressed scepticism that the plan could end the war, with one displaced resident calling it a “farce.”