Leaders unveil 20-point deal as doubts linger over Hamas response and regional stability

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu announced a sweeping US-backed Gaza peace plan, warning Hamas to accept it or face consequences. The proposal has sparked cautious optimism, but its viability remains uncertain.

Trump and Netanyahu Present United Front

At the White House on September 29, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed a 20-point peace framework to end nearly two years of war in Gaza. The plan outlines an immediate cease-fire, a staged Israeli withdrawal, hostage-prisoner exchanges, and Hamas disarmament, alongside a transitional government managed by an international body.

Hamas Absent From Negotiations

Despite the ambitious design, Hamas officials were not directly involved in drafting the deal. Qatar and Egypt later delivered the plan, with Hamas pledging to review it “in good faith.” However, its history of rejecting disarmament raises doubts about acceptance. Trump warned that Israel would have “full backing” if Hamas rejected the deal, while Netanyahu insisted Israel would “finish the job” if resistance continued.

Key Elements of the Plan

The proposal includes:

• Release of all hostages within 72 hours of acceptance.
• Amnesty for Hamas members renouncing militancy.
• Safe passage for those unwilling to comply.
• An international “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump and joined by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The plan also envisions eventual Palestinian statehood, though Netanyahu has long opposed such a development.

International Reactions and Tensions

The Palestinian Authority welcomed the US effort, while Palestinian Islamic Jihad condemned the proposal as “a recipe to blow up the region.” Regional powers including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Egypt, and the UAE reportedly issued joint statements supporting Trump’s push. Netanyahu also apologized to Qatar over a strike that killed a serviceman, attempting to ease strained ties.

Humanitarian Crisis and Political Stakes

The conflict, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, has left more than 65,000 Palestinians dead and much of Gaza in ruins, according to local health authorities. Netanyahu faces growing domestic pressure from hostage families and a war-weary public, while also balancing far-right coalition partners wary of concessions. Trump, meanwhile, is pushing to deliver on his 2024 campaign promise of ending the war swiftly.

Challenges Ahead

While hailed by Trump as a “historic breakthrough,” the plan’s success depends heavily on Hamas’s decision. Previous US-backed ceasefire efforts collapsed under mistrust and competing demands. Analysts warn that unless Hamas, Israel, and regional mediators align, the initiative risks becoming another failed blueprint.

The Gaza peace plan underscores both the urgency and fragility of efforts to end the conflict. For Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia and Singapore, stability in the Middle East matters not only for global security but also for energy and trade flows. The outcome of Hamas’s decision will reverberate far beyond Gaza’s borders.

Sources: AsiaOne (2025) , The Guardian (2025)

Keywords: Gaza Peace Plan, Trump Ultimatum, Netanyahu Agreement, Hamas Response, Middle East Conflict, US-Israel Relations