Donald Trump tonight thanked Benjamin Netanyahu for ‘agreeing to a peace plan’ in Gaza.
The US President declared at a press conference at The White House it was a ‘big day, a beautiful day’ and ‘potentially one of the greatest days ever in civilisation’.
Mr Trump unveiled his 20-point road map to end the Israel-Hamas war, which includes Sir Tony Blair in a ‘new international transitional body’ to run Gaza on a temporary basis.
The plan, which the MAGA leader has circulated to Arab leaders, was released after Mr Trump met the Israeli PM in Washington.
Mr Trump said that Netanyahu had agreed to the plan, which calls for an immediate ceasefire, followed by disarmament of Hamas and Israeli withdrawal.
And he lauded a team involving his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, for their work on the Gaza peace deal as Mr Trump declared: ‘I don’t think anybody else could have done it or even come close.’
The American leader also heaped praise on Netanyahu, calling him a ‘warrior’ and that Israel was ‘lucky to have him’.
‘I understand and respect his position on many things, but what he’s doing today is so good for Israel,’ he adds.
‘I notice that, they have large crowds gathering in Israel all the time and they have my name up, they like me for whatever reason.’
Hamas also has yet to give its approval but Mr Trump said he was hopeful the militant group was in favor.
He said approval from all sides was ‘beyond very close’.
Donald Trump tonight thanked Benjamin Netanyahu for ‘agreeing to a peace plan’ in Gaza
The US President declared at a press conference it was a ‘big day, a beautiful day’ and ‘potentially one of the greatest days ever in civilisation
The 20 point plan states that on agreement by both sides, ‘the war will immediately end’ with Israeli withdrawals timed to release of the last hostages held by Hamas. During that initial period, there would be a ceasefire.
Key points include deployment of a ‘temporary international stabilization force’ and creation of a transitional authority headed by Trump.
The deal would demand Hamas militants fully disarm and be excluded from future roles in the government. However, those who agreed to ‘peaceful co-existence’ would be given amnesty.
Following Israeli withdrawal, the borders would be opened to aid and investment.
In a crucial change from Mr Trump’s earlier apparent goals, Palestinians will not be forced to leave and instead, the document said, ‘we will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.’
The US president had met key Arab leaders at the United Nations last week and said Sunday on social media that ‘ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER.’
Netanyahu has recently given little reason for optimism, vowing in a defiant UN speech Friday to ‘finish the job’ against Hamas and rejecting Palestinian statehood – recently recognized by several Western nations.
Normally a staunch ally of Netanyahu, the US president has shown increasing signs of frustration ahead of the Israeli premier’s fourth White House visit since Trump’s return to power.
Trump was infuriated by Israel’s recent strike on Hamas members in key US ally Qatar.
And he warned Netanyahu last week against annexing the Israeli-occupied West Bank, as some of Netanyahu’s cabinet members have urged, a move that would seriously complicate the route to Palestinian statehood.
Netanyahu’s coalition government is propped up by the far-right ministers who oppose a peace deal.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
