Trump & Netanyahu Unveil “Principles for Peace” at White House: A Bold Blueprint to End Gaza War and Reshape Middle East Security

By: Fern Sidman

Against the historic backdrop of the White House, President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood shoulder to shoulder on Monday, unveiling what they called a turning point in the long, bloody saga of the Middle East conflict. The announcement of Trump’s “Principles for Peace” followed a lengthy bilateral meeting and working lunch, with both leaders emphasizing that the Gaza war could now give way to a broader architecture of stability.

Trump opened the press conference with characteristic flourish, declaring the day “one of the greatest days ever in civilization.” His remarks, carried live across global media, praised Netanyahu for what he described as tireless commitment to Israel’s security and peace. “We really work well together,” Trump told reporters, adding that the two leaders had discussed Iran, trade, the Abraham Accords, and “most importantly, how to end the war in Gaza, which is just one chapter of eternal peace in the Middle East.”

According to a detailed report at Israel National News on Monday, the White House announcement marked not only an effort to secure the release of hostages and the disarmament of Hamas, but also a wider regional strategy. Trump thanked Netanyahu explicitly “for trusting that if we work together, we can bring an end to the death and destruction that we’ve seen for so many years, decades, even centuries, and begin a new chapter of security, peace, and prosperity for the entire region.”

At the heart of Trump’s plan lies a strict timeline for the release of Israeli hostages. The President said that Hamas must return all hostages within 72 hours of signing the agreement, calling this demand “non-negotiable.” Should Hamas fail to comply, Trump warned, “Israel will have the absolute right and our full backing to respond with decisive force.”

Israel National News reported that the framework, dubbed the “21-point plan,” also calls for a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, overseen by international monitors and security partners. In its place, Gaza would be administered by a technocratic committee of Palestinians and internationals, supervised by a new “Peace Council” co-chaired by Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Critically, the plan would see Hamas fully disarmed. Any Hamas member who surrenders weapons would receive amnesty and the option to leave Gaza voluntarily. Gaza residents, however, would not be forcibly displaced. Trump emphasized: “They can stay and build a better Gaza, or leave and return freely. The point is to create a Gaza without terror, without fear, and without Hamas.”

Trump surprised many by announcing that several Arab and Muslim leaders had already endorsed the plan. He thanked both Arab heads of state and Muslim leaders, saying their contributions were “essential to making this a truly regional solution.”

Perhaps most significantly, Trump revealed that the Field Marshal of Pakistan had openly backed the plan, a striking development given Pakistan’s longstanding position on Israel. According to the information provided in the Israel National News report, this detail underscored the White House’s success in forging unlikely coalitions.

Minutes before Netanyahu’s arrival, Trump spoke directly with the Emir of Qatar, whose country has played a central role in mediating between Hamas and Israel. Axios reported, and Israel National News later confirmed, that Netanyahu even issued a rare apology to Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman for Israel’s strike on Hamas officials in Doha during ongoing negotiations. Netanyahu reportedly assured Qatar that Israel would not repeat such violations of sovereignty.

Qatar, in turn, pledged readiness to continue contributing “meaningfully to regional security and stability.” Trump, praising both leaders, said: “This is the kind of cooperation that makes peace possible.”

Journalist Amit Segal laid out the plan’s main points:

Hostage Release: All Israeli hostages must be freed within 72 hours.

Prisoner Exchange: 250 Palestinian prisoners convicted of murder would be released.

Amnesty for Hamas: Fighters who surrender weapons will be granted amnesty and allowed to leave.

Temporary Administration: Gaza will be governed by a technocratic body under the Peace Council (Trump and Tony Blair as chairs).

Voluntary Residency: No forced displacement; residents may freely stay, leave, and return.

Palestinian Authority Involvement: The PA may eventually govern Gaza—but only after implementing sweeping reforms demanded by the Trump Plan 2020.

Disarmament: Hamas is fully excluded from governance and disarmed under international supervision.

Stabilization Force: An international stabilization force, comprising Palestinians and soldiers from Arab and Muslim states, will deploy immediately.

Funding and Reconstruction: Arab states and Muslim-majority nations will fund Gaza’s reconstruction and new administration.

No Israeli Annexation: Israel will not annex Gaza and will not occupy it.

Trump’s insistence that the plan “is not just about Gaza, but about a new Middle East” was echoed by Netanyahu, who praised Trump as “an incredible ally, the most independent and amazing leader I have ever known.” Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s longstanding objectives: freeing the hostages, disarming Hamas, and securing Israel’s future.

In Israel, the proposal triggered an immediate spectrum of responses. Right-wing leaders, such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, warned Netanyahu against making concessions that would leave Hamas intact. Opposition figures such as Yair Lapid, however, welcomed the outline as a potential pathway toward ending the war while safeguarding Israeli security.

Israel National News reported on the emotional appeal by Yehoshua Shani, chairman of the Gevura Forum, representing bereaved families of fallen IDF soldiers. Shani urged Netanyahu not to compromise: “Do not agree to leave Hamas in place, or to bring in the Palestinian Authority. The blood of our sons demands nothing less than the complete destruction of Hamas.”

Shani cited Netanyahu’s prior commitments to bereaved parents that Israel would not end the war until its three objectives were met: the destruction of Hamas, Israeli security control over Gaza, and the return of all hostages. His words, invoking the biblical cry of Cain and Abel—“the voice of your brothers’ blood cries out”—struck a chord across Israel.

Trump’s announcement was as much about symbolism as substance. Standing beside Netanyahu, he declared: “We are not just talking about peace, we are creating it. For decades, leaders talked about ending war, but nothing happened. Today, we show the world what happens when America and Israel stand united.”

Arab states’ apparent willingness to back the plan, including tacit cooperation from countries historically hostile to Israel, was seen as a breakthrough. The Israel National News report noted that even critics acknowledged the significance of Pakistan’s endorsement, signaling a shift in global Muslim engagement on the conflict.

Still, skepticism remains. Hamas issued a statement denying receipt of any new proposals and reiterating its demand that any deal “preserve the national rights of our people.” Observers remain uncertain whether Hamas will truly disarm or accept exclusion from governance.

For Netanyahu, the stakes are immense. After nearly two years of grueling conflict, his political survival is closely tied to the war’s outcome. By embracing Trump’s plan, he signals pragmatism without abandoning core principles.

Netanyahu emphasized that “President Trump acts in America’s interest, not Israel’s. But we share values and we share goals.” This distancing underscored his rebuttal to critics who accuse him of being overly reliant on U.S. politics.

At the United Nations just days earlier, Netanyahu had thundered against the idea of a Palestinian state, warning: “Giving the Palestinians a state one mile from Jerusalem after Oct. 7 is like giving Al-Qaeda a state one mile from New York City after Sept. 11. This is sheer madness.”

Now, standing at the White House, he sought to reconcile that opposition with a U.S.-brokered framework that—at least in theory—removes Hamas from the equation without formal statehood.

As the press conference concluded, Trump declared: “I am confident this deal will go through. Everyone wants it. Hamas wants it. The Arab states want it. Israel wants it. And America will guarantee it.” Netanyahu nodded, though cautiously. “We want to free our hostages, disarm Hamas, and build a better future,” he said. “If this plan achieves that, then it is worth pursuing.”

The Israel National News report highlighted the historic weight of the moment, noting that Trump framed the plan not merely as conflict resolution, but as “civilizational progress.” Whether the lofty rhetoric translates into enduring peace remains uncertain, but the ambition was unmistakable.

For now, Israelis and the wider Middle East wait to see if Trump’s “Principles for Peace” will indeed mark a new chapter—or whether the brutal cycle of war and negotiation will continue.