U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 20-point peace proposal for Gaza aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The Trump administration released a 20-point Gaza deal on September 29, 2025, proposing measures to end the Israel-Hamas conflict that has resulted in over 66,000 Palestinian deaths since October 7, 2023.
US President Trump secured Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's acceptance of the peace plan, which also received backing from eight Arab and Muslim-majority nations.
Understanding the Gaza Peace Deal Framework
The Gaza deal proposes an immediate ceasefire if Hamas releases all Israeli hostages both living and deceased within 72 hours of Israel's public acceptance. The framework requires Hamas to accept complete disarmament, exclusion from Gaza's governance, and dismantling of military infrastructure including tunnels and weapons facilities.
In return, Israel commits to staged withdrawal from Gaza, release of 250 Palestinian life-sentence prisoners plus 1,700 Gazans detained after October 7, 2023, and a commitment not to annex the territory.
The plan aims to transform Gaza into a "deradicalized terror-free zone" under international supervision through a proposed "Board of Peace" headed by President Trump, with former British Prime Minister Blair among its members.
Key Provisions of the Peace Plan
The peace plan establishes several mechanisms to end hostilities and rebuild Gaza:
- Immediate Ceasefire and Withdrawal: If both Israel and Hamas accept the proposal, military operations cease. Israeli forces would withdraw to agreed-upon lines, with battle lines frozen until conditions are met for complete staged withdrawal.
- Hostage and Prisoner Exchange: The 72-hour deadline represents the deal's most time-sensitive component. Once fulfilled, Israel would release Palestinian prisoners and return remains of deceased Gazans at a ratio of 15 for every Israeli remains released.
- Transitional Governance: Gaza would operate under a "technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee" of qualified Palestinians and international experts. This committee would manage public services while being overseen by the ‘Board of Peace’, which would control funding frameworks for reconstruction.
- Economic Reconstruction: The plan commits to full humanitarian aid upon acceptance, including rehabilitation of water, electricity, sewage systems, hospitals, and bakeries. A special economic zone with preferred tariff rates would be established to attract international investment.
- Security Architecture: An International Stabilization Force (ISF) would deploy to provide security, training vetted Palestinian police forces and consulting with regional partners like Jordan and Egypt. The ISF would take control as Israeli forces withdraw, though Israel maintains the right to keep a "security perimeter presence" until threats are eliminated.
Regional and International Response
The Gaza deal received backing from eight Arab and Muslim-majority nations including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt. These countries issued a joint statement welcoming the US efforts while emphasizing red lines: guaranteeing non-displacement of Palestinians and ensuring humanitarian aid delivery.
This regional consensus indicates a shift in approach. Previous peace initiatives focused on immediate Palestinian statehood demands. The 2025 framework prioritizes conflict resolution and demilitarization, suggesting regional powers now favor stability and security cooperation as the path toward normalization with Israel.
India's Strategic Response
The Prime Minister of India provided support for the framework. In a post, the Indian PM welcomed the plan as providing "a viable pathway to long term and sustainable peace, security and development for the Palestinian and Israeli people, as also for the larger West Asian region."
India's endorsement is notable given the country's historical support for the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution. The Prime Minister of India's statement balanced support for the initiative with emphasis on the "larger West Asian region," indicating that bilateral ties rest on shared strategic interests.
Implementation Challenges and Gaps
The Gaza deal faces several implementation challenges that could affect its outcomes:
- Hamas' Position: The plan requires Hamas to accept complete disarmament, which may potentially face implementation issues. While the plan offers amnesty to members who surrender weapons and commit to peaceful coexistence, this may not persuade senior military commanders who control hostages and infrastructure.
- Governance Structure: The transitional governance model faces legitimacy questions. The Board of Peace, led by external figures, may be perceived as an imposed authority. This perception could undermine the technocratic committee's ability to govern and secure public cooperation.
- Financial Questions: While the plan commits to immediate aid and infrastructure rehabilitation, it does not detail funding sources or execution mechanisms for Gaza's reconstruction. Without clear international donor commitments the transitional government can struggle to deliver essential services.
- Security Verification: Verifying complete dismantling of military infrastructure presents operational challenges. The Israeli Defense Forces' phased withdrawal depends on meeting demilitarization milestones, but disputes over verification could affect the withdrawal timeline.
Ultimatum Component
At a White House press briefing, Trump described the deal as “a historic day for peace”. However, he warned that the US would back Israel in “finishing the job of eliminating Hamas” if the group rejects the terms. Netanyahu reinforced that message, saying Israel “will finish the job” if Hamas refuses or fails to comply.
These proposed contingency provisions regarding Hamas' response serve multiple purposes. In addition to establishing terms for a potential peace agreement, it creates an international diplomatic context for the conflict's continuation should negotiations fail. The endorsement by multiple nations, including Arab states, provides broader international recognition of the parties' positions and potential courses of action.
Pathway to Palestinian Statehood
The peace plan states that when Gaza redevelopment advances and the Palestinian Authority completes reforms, "the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood."
However, this pathway faces barriers. Israeli leadership has opposed Palestinian statehood, and the plan's structure requires Palestinian Authority reforms and security verification. This suggests the political horizon remains distant. The acceptance may assume these conditions cannot be met in the near term, allowing maintenance of current coalition politics while securing US backing.
Conclusion
Trump’s 20-point framework for peace represents a diplomatic initiative that secured international support and Israeli acceptance. The plan creates specific conditions for ending the Gaza war: immediate hostage release, phased prisoner exchange, transitional governance, and security architecture through the International Stabilization Force.
The unclear funding mechanisms, and governance structures perceived as externally imposed create multiple points where implementation could stall. The international community observes whether this ceasefire proposal can end the cycle of violence.
The Prime Minister of India, alongside regional Arab support, demonstrates global interest in resolution. Whether that interest translates into sustainable peace depends on implementation of the plan's terms and cooperation among all parties involved in the conflict.
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Trump's 20-point Framework FAQs
1. When was the Trump Gaza peace deal announced?
Ans. September 29, 2025.
2. How many points are in the Gaza peace framework?
Ans. 20 points.
3. What is the hostage release deadline in the Gaza deal?
Ans. 72 hours after Israel's acceptance.
4. Which countries support the 2025 Gaza peace plan?
Ans. Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt.
5. What is the International Stabilization Force role in Gaza?
Ans. Providing security and training Palestinian police.