In a high-stakes White House announcement that reads more like a wartime ultimatum than a peace proposal, President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have given Hamas a stark choice: accept a U.S.-backed Gaza cease-fire plan—or face Israel’s full military wrath with America’s explicit blessing.
President Trump and PM Netanyahu present their Gaza cease-fire ultimatum at the White House. — Photo: The New York Times
The ‘Or Else’ Deal: Key Terms of the Trump-Netanyahu Plan
The proposal, unveiled Monday, demands that Hamas immediately agree to a cease-fire and, within 72 hours, return all remaining Israeli hostages—dead or alive. In exchange, Israel would release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 others detained since October 7, 2023.
Critically, Hamas must also:
- Disarm completely
- Relinquish all governing authority in Gaza
- Allow a U.S.-led “Board of Peace” to oversee reconstruction
“Israel would have my full backing to finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas,” Trump declared.
What Happens If Hamas Refuses?
Netanyahu made the consequences clear: “This can be done the easy way, or it can be done the hard way.” With Trump’s green light, Israel would escalate its military campaign—potentially expanding ground operations and tightening its siege on the already devastated enclave.
Gaza Governance Under the New Plan
The proposal creates a transitional authority called the “Board of Peace,” chaired by none other than President Trump himself. Other members include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. This board would manage Gaza’s reconstruction and determine when—or if—the Palestinian Authority is “reformed enough” to resume control.
Key Features of the Trump-Netanyahu Gaza Plan
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cease-fire | Immediate, conditional on hostage return |
| Hamas Role | Zero future governance; full disarmament required |
| Israeli Buffer Zone | Maintained “for the foreseeable future” inside Gaza |
| Palestinian Statehood | Described only as an “aspiration,” with no timeline |
| U.S. Involvement | Trump as chairman of Gaza’s interim governing board |
Infographic: The Stakes of the Ultimatum
The two paths laid out by the Trump-Netanyahu plan—and their potentially catastrophic consequences.
Hamas Responds: “We Were Never Consulted”
Taher al-Nounou, a senior Hamas official, dismissed the proposal in a televised interview: “When it comes to this plan, no one contacted us, nor were we part of the negotiations around it.” Analysts note that key demands—like disarming and surrendering power—are nonstarters for the group, making rejection likely.
Why This Matters Beyond Gaza
The plan marks a dramatic shift from Trump’s earlier suggestion to relocate Palestinians out of Gaza—a proposal widely condemned as ethnic cleansing. Now, the administration claims Palestinians will be “encouraged to stay” and rebuild, though with no guarantee of self-determination.
As Middle East analyst Aaron David Miller put it: “This is the full monty—and at the top of it sits one Donald Trump.”
