US President Donald Trump announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to a peace proposal to end the war in the Gaza Strip, noting that it is time for Hamas to accept the plan after previously rejecting the 21-point proposal. Trump threatened Hamas with severe consequences if the rejection continues. He revealed details of his plan, which withdrew the displacement clause, pledged not to occupy Gaza, emphasized disarmament, and confirmed there will be no Palestinian state. Meanwhile, the Qatari Foreign Ministry announced that Netanyahu apologized for Israel’s attack on Qatar.

Yesterday, Trump hosted Netanyahu at the White House to discuss the US administration’s plan to end the Gaza war. In a joint press conference at the White House, Trump described the meeting as a “historic day for peace,” revealing Hamas’s rejection of the proposal but expressing optimism about receiving a “positive response” from the group. Hamas stated it had not yet received the draft of Trump’s plan to review.

Trump explained that his talks with Netanyahu covered multiple files, including the Iranian nuclear issue, trade cooperation, expanding the Abraham Accords, and what he called “the most important file,” which is stopping the ongoing war in Gaza. He considered this a step toward a “long-awaited lasting peace in the Middle East.”

Trump thanked Netanyahu for supporting the US initiative, saying the plan “will pave the way for a new phase of stability and prosperity in the region.” He also praised the contributions of Arab and Islamic countries, as well as European allies, in developing the initiative’s provisions.

The US president indicated that reaching an agreement with Hamas would lead to the release of hostages held in Gaza within 72 hours. He added that Arab and Islamic countries pledged to assist in disarming the Gaza Strip, including Hamas and other factions.

Trump explained that “Gaza will be managed during the transitional phase by a Palestinian committee of politically unaffiliated technocrats to ensure stability and reconstruction away from partisan conflicts.” He added, “I will chair this committee alongside several international leaders to be announced soon, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, as part of a joint international effort to establish peace and achieve a better future for Gaza and the entire region.” Trump added, “I feel we are very close to reaching an agreement, and if Hamas does not respond, Israel will receive full support from the United States.”

Israeli Rejection

Regarding the Palestinian issue, Trump said Netanyahu “strongly rejects the idea of establishing a Palestinian state, and I understand his position.” He added, “Netanyahu is a strong leader, and Israel is lucky to have him, but ultimately, the people want peace.”

Trump referred to the Abraham Accords he previously negotiated, saying his new plan might expand these agreements to include additional countries. He added, “Iran’s joining would be an amazing development; I think they will join.”

He urged Palestinians to “take responsibility for their destiny” by pushing to accept a peace agreement with Israel that he said creates conditions for Israel’s permanent security. “Many Palestinians want to live in peace,” he said. “I call on Palestinians to take responsibility for their destiny because that is what we offer them.” He added that he spoke about peace in the entire Middle East, not just stopping the Gaza war.

The US president continued, “If the Palestinian Authority does not complete the reforms it set, they will have no one to blame but themselves.”

He revealed details of the US plan regarding Gaza, which states that Israel will not occupy or annex the Strip. The White House said the “Trump plan” includes a three-stage Israeli military withdrawal, noting that “if both sides agree to the plan, the Gaza war will end immediately.”

Trump told reporters, “We are at least very close. I think we have passed the very close stage, and I want to thank Bibi (Netanyahu) for taking a positive step and doing a good job.”

The White House later confirmed that “Netanyahu expressed regret for Israel’s violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and assured that Israel will not carry out such an attack again.”

Gaza Administration

Netanyahu stated that Gaza “will not be managed by Hamas nor by the Palestinian Authority.”

He added that Israel will not allow Hamas to obstruct any peace plan.

“If Hamas rejects the plan, or accepts it formally then tries to undermine it, Israel will finish the mission itself. We did not engage in this bitter conflict and sacrifice our best sons for Hamas to remain in Gaza,” he said.

Netanyahu indicated he informed the Qatari Prime Minister that “Israel acts against terrorists, not against Qatar,” adding, “Of course, we regret the loss of the Qatari citizen, who was not our target.” He also appreciated President Trump’s proposal to establish a tripartite committee including the US, Israel, and Qatar to address disputes, considering that “limiting them will be beneficial for all.”

Regarding the Palestinian situation, Netanyahu said, “Most Israelis do not believe the Palestinian Authority will change its approach,” adding that “the US plan offers a practical and realistic path for Gaza’s future in the coming years.”

He concluded, “I believe this step represents not only a new beginning for Gaza but for the entire region.”

Israeli Apology

The Qatari Foreign Ministry announced that Israel apologized for its attack on Qatar on September 9 in a joint phone call between Netanyahu, Trump, and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli Prime Minister offered “his apology for this attack and violation of Qatari sovereignty, which resulted in the martyrdom of Qatari citizen Badr Al-Dosari, pledging not to repeat any targeting of Qatar’s territory in the future.”

For his part, the Qatari Prime Minister affirmed “Qatar’s complete and categorical rejection of any violation of its sovereignty under any circumstances,” stressing that protecting citizens and residents on its soil is a top priority. He also welcomed “the guarantees provided regarding Qatar’s protection from targeting and the commitments not to repeat these attacks.”

He also expressed his country’s readiness “to continue engagement to reach an end to the war in Gaza within the framework of the Trump initiative.”