Leaders in Middle East and Europe Welcome Trump's Gaza Peace Plan
WASHINGTON - Leaders in the Middle East and Europe have welcomed a US peace plan for Gaza, proposed by President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The plan aims to bring an immediate end to fighting between Israel and Hamas, with the release of 20 living Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the remains of over two dozen hostages believed to be dead.
Speaking at a news conference at the White House on Monday, Trump called the plan "a historic day for peace." He warned Hamas that if they did not accept the plan, Netanyahu would have US backing to "finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas."
Netanyahu echoed Trump's sentiments, stating that Israel "will finish the job" of defeating Hamas. However, he later ruled out the possibility of a Palestinian state, contradicting an earlier statement in the 20-point plan.
The plan also proposes that Hamas will have no role in governing Gaza and leaves the door open for an eventual Palestinian state. A Palestinian source told the BBC that Hamas officials had been given the 20-point plan.
Leaders from across the Middle East and Europe have welcomed the plan, with some expressing cautious optimism about its potential to bring peace to the region. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi praised the plan as a "step in the right direction," while French President Emmanuel Macron called it a "positive development."
However, not all leaders are supportive of the plan. Palestinian officials have expressed concerns that the proposal does not address their key demands for statehood and self-governance. A senior Hamas official told the BBC that the group would not accept any plan that did not meet these conditions.
The current situation in Gaza remains tense, with ongoing fighting between Israel and Hamas. The humanitarian crisis in the territory continues to worsen, with thousands of Palestinians displaced and without access to basic necessities like food and water.
As the international community watches the developments unfold, it remains to be seen whether Trump's peace plan will bring lasting peace to the region or simply add another chapter to the long-standing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
*Reporting by Bbc.*
