Netanyahu rejects Palestinian state in Trump talks
In the wake of President Donald Trump’s unveiled plan for Gaza, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly reiterated a hard line: there will be no Palestinian state as part of any agreement discussed with Washington. In a video posted on social media, Netanyahu described his trip to Washington as an “excellent” success and said Israel has effectively isolated Hamas. He asserted that the strategic plan would guarantee sustained support from the United States for an operation aimed at dismantling Hamas, should the group refuse the proposed terms.
Describing the framework, Netanyahu emphasized that the army would remain in the majority of Gaza, a position Haaretz and other Israeli outlets cited, and he insisted that a Palestinian state was nowhere in the accord. “Absolutely not, that does not appear in the agreement,” he told his team, insisting that Israel’s core stance is understood by the American president.
The plan proposes a staged withdrawal of Israeli forces coupled with the deployment of an international stabilizing force in Gaza as security conditions permit. Netanyahu suggested that while Israel would retain a substantial presence, the path toward peace would require Hamas to accept the plan and demilitarize, paving the way for broader regional stability. The comments underscored a broader political message in which Netanyahu seeks to maintain a buffer against any concession that could be read as recognizing a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
Germany’s Merz hails the plan as the best chance for peace
Chancellor Friedrich Merz—who hosted relatives of German hostages held by Hamas—welcomed Trump’s plan as “the best chance to end the war since Hamas’s attacks on October 7.” In a chancery briefing, Merz urged Hamas to approve the plan and to open the path to peace, insisting that Germany would press for the release of all German hostages in Hamas custody. He framed the plan as a pragmatic, interim step toward stabilizing the region, while cautioning that the Hamas organization would need to accept the terms for any progress to endure.
Merz’s remarks reflected a broader European reception of the plan—positive in tone but tempered by a demand for verifiable commitments from all sides, particularly on hostage releases and humanitarian access. The German leader stressed that the stabilization effort would hinge on Hamas’s cooperation and the restoration of international engagement to prevent a renewed cycle of violence.
Palestinians in Gaza respond with guarded skepticism
Across the Gaza Strip, reactions to Trump’s plan have been mixed and cautious. A number of residents told AFP that even a credible aid corridor and a credible ceasefire are welcome, but they remain skeptical about guarantees and the plan’s long-term impact. Abou Mazen Nassar described the plan as a “farce” and said Trump and Netanyahu were deceiving the Palestinian people. Others, like Ibrahim Joudeh, a 39-year-old engineer, argued that the proposal is unrealistic and conditioned on terms Hamas is unlikely to accept.
Several displaced residents, living in tents in Beit Lahya and Deir Al-Balah after weeks of bombardment, said their priority is an immediate end to the destruction and safe access to humanitarian relief. For many, the pathway to relief remains unclear, with some cautioning that any plan must deliver tangible protections, guarantees for hostages, and a credible mechanism to halt fighting before any political settlement could take root.
France and Spain express measured support; UN voice joins the chorus
France said it “welcomes” Trump’s peace plan and urged immediate action to free all hostages and restore humanitarian access. In a Foreign Affairs Ministry note, Paris called on all parties to seize the moment to reestablish a path toward self-determination for Palestinians and security for Israelis, while France pledged readiness to cooperate with the United States, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and other international partners to implement the plan.
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez also welcomed the plan, urging an end to violence and the instant, unconditional release of hostages, along with access for humanitarian aid. The plan drew a similar chorus from Tom Fletcher, the UN’s humanitarian affairs chief, who said on X that it opened “new possibilities” to deliver relief to Gaza and expressed readiness to work on practical arrangements and principles for peace.
What to watch next
Key questions remain: Will Hamas accept the proposed terms, including any security arrangements and the envisioned stabilization force? How will hostages be safeguarded and freed, and who will supervise humanitarian aid deliveries? The coming weeks will test the plan’s viability as international allies coordinate with Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The delicate balance between security, sovereignty, and humanitarian needs will shape the momentum of any peace process in Gaza.
