Ahead of their Monday meeting, speculation centered on whether President Trump would exert sufficient influence on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to push for an end to the Gaza conflict.
In the end, Netanyahu secured nearly all of his key demands within Trump’s proposal — including an unequivocal call for Hamas to immediately release hostages and disarm, conditions that, if unmet, grant Israel unrestricted military action in Gaza.
Israeli forces would be permitted to maintain their presence along Gaza’s borders for the foreseeable future, while the plan offered only a minimal acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood aspirations, effectively sidelining the Palestinian Authority from any immediate governance role in Gaza.
This development marks a rare diplomatic victory for Netanyahu amid Israel’s increasing global isolation. Just last week, several European nations recognized a Palestinian state despite Israeli opposition, and Netanyahu faced a largely empty audience during a diplomatic walkout at the United Nations.
Standing beside President Trump on Monday afternoon, Netanyahu endorsed the U.S.-supported framework as meeting his terms for ending hostilities with Hamas. Meanwhile, Arab and Muslim governments, including the Palestinian Authority, appeared prepared to align with the proposal.
Notably, Hamas would be excluded entirely from any future governance in Gaza, clarifying ambiguities that had existed in previous attempts to resolve the conflict.
Hamas leaders now face a difficult decision: accept the plan, seek to negotiate its terms, or reject it altogether. Each choice presents significant risks for the group, which has endured two years of Israeli military pressure by sustaining a persistent insurgency.
Acceptance would require Hamas to relinquish control over Gaza, a move likely seen as capitulation. Conversely, rejecting a clear avenue to peace could further alienate Palestinians who have endured prolonged violence and devastation. Some Gazans accuse Hamas of prioritizing its political survival over their welfare.
Ibrahim Madhoun, a Palestinian analyst with close ties to Hamas, described the Trump plan as fundamentally excluding Hamas, complicating the group’s willingness to accept it. Hamas officials have indicated that disarmament remains a red line.
Nevertheless, Madhoun noted that Hamas might still consider the proposal as a basis for negotiations to end the war. However, many of the plan’s 20 other provisions remain vague, necessitating extensive discussions to clarify.
"Each provision represents a complex challenge requiring its own agreement," Madhoun explained.
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