Overview: Trump pushes a new ceasefire framework amid Gaza war
On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump outlined a plan he said could end nearly two years of fighting between Hamas and Israel. Speaking from the White House lawn, Trump gave Hamas a deadline of roughly three to four days to respond to the ceasefire plan, which has garnered support from Israel and eight Arab and Muslim countries. The proposal centers on a structured sequence: hostage release, Israeli concessions, and the rapid deployment of an international stabilization force to help disarm Hamas and secure a new border arrangement.
What the plan entails
The core of Trump’s proposal envisions Hamas acknowledging the agreement, followed by the release of the remaining 48 hostages within 72 hours. In exchange, Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners and withdraw its forces from Gaza to a line agreed upon by the parties. A multinational stabilization force, comprising Arab and Muslim states, would then assume a leading role in disarming Hamas and overseeing aftermath operations. Israel would keep control of key border corridors with Gaza and Egypt, establishing a security buffer while allowing for continued troop redeployments in line with security needs.
Crucially, the plan does not force Palestinians to leave Gaza; it offers voluntary exit for those who wish to relocate and a potential future path toward self-determination and state-building as reconstruction progresses and reforms within the Palestinian Authority are implemented. The plan also emphasizes rebuilding Gaza as a precursor to broader regional stability, linking reconstruction to a credible path toward Palestinian self-rule.
Hamas’s initial reaction and the Doha angle
Hamas has long maintained that its leadership, based in Doha, would consider proposals that acknowledge Palestinian rights and security concerns. Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar, said Hamas would study the plan responsibly and highlighted optimism that the initiative is comprehensive. Qatar, among the eight Arab and Muslim states backing the plan, signified its willingness to play a mediating role during the discussion phase.
Israel’s reception and the White House meeting
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after meeting Trump at the White House on Monday, publicly endorsed the plan and framed it as advancing Israel’s war aims. In a post-meeting message, Netanyahu called the visit “very outstanding” and underscored Washington’s pledge to support Israel in destroying Hamas if the group rejects the proposal. The Israeli defense posture remained aggressive on the ground, with the IDF highlighting ongoing operations to dismantle threats from Gaza and protect Israeli citizens.
Military posture and frontline developments
Israel’s Defense Forces released images on social media showing the army’s top leadership inspecting Gaza front-line units. General Eyal Zamir emphasized discipline and professionalism as essential to achieving military objectives, while stressing the need for flexibility in strategic decisions. Over the past 24 hours, Israeli forces reported neutralizing several armed fighters and maintaining pressure on Hamas as part of a broader objective to degrade the group’s capabilities.
International dynamics and potential outcomes
The proposed plan reflects a rare convergence of support from Israel and a coalition of eight Arab and Muslim states, with Qatar as a key backer. The international stabilizing force is intended to provide security assurances and facilitate a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces in Gaza, dependent on the plan’s implementation. While the proposal offers a potential pathway toward Palestinian self-determination, it also anchors a secure buffer zone that Israel views as essential to long-term security. Observers stress that the plan’s success hinges on Hamas’s willingness to disarm, the speed of hostage releases, and the readiness of regional partners to deploy and sustain the stabilization force.
What’s next
With Trump signalling a short response window, the coming days will test Hamas’s readiness to engage and the international community’s ability to coordinate a complex military and political transition. If Hamas accepts, the plan could trigger coordinated actions by regional partners, humanitarian relief, and a phased path toward reconstruction and governance reforms. If rejected, supporters say the United States and Israel will pursue a continuation of military pressure and broader regional diplomacy to manage the fallout and seek alternative arrangements.
