Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli military would remain in most of Gaza, after endorsing a peace plan for the Palestinian territories presented by US President Donald Trump.
“We will return all our hostages, alive and well, while (the Israeli military) will remain in most of the Gaza Strip,” he said in a video posted on his Telegram channel.
Trump unveiled a comprehensive peace plan for Gaza on Monday and received cautious support from Netanyahu, who warned that he remained ready to “finish the job” against Hamas.
Hamas said it would “in good faith” review Trump’s plan for Gaza and respond.
“If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr. President, or if it supposedly accepts it and then basically does everything to oppose it, then Israel will finish the job itself,” Netanyahu said at a joint press conference at the White House.
The 20-point plan, which Trump also circulated to Arab leaders and has been welcomed, calls for a ceasefire, the release of Hamas hostages, the disarmament of Hamas, and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Other key points include the deployment of an “interim international stabilization force” and the creation of a transitional authority headed by Trump himself, with other foreign leaders participating.
The deal would require the complete disarmament of Hamas fighters and their exclusion from future government roles. Those who agree to “peaceful coexistence” would, however, be granted amnesty.
After the Israeli withdrawal, the borders would open to aid and investment. In a key change from Trump’s previously stated goals, the Palestinians would not be forced to leave Gaza, but, as the document states, “encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.”
Netanyahu made it clear that he was in favor, saying it “achieves our war goals,” while Trump said he hoped Hamas would also support it.
Approval from all sides was “more than close,” Trump said.
A number of key details, however, remained to be clarified.
Netanyahu stressed to reporters that Israeli forces would retain responsibility for Gaza’s security “for the foreseeable future.”
He also expressed doubts about whether the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, would be allowed a role in governing Gaza.
“Gaza will have a peaceful, civilian administration that will not be run by Hamas or the Palestinian Authority,” Netanyahu said.
