US President unveils 21-point peace plan whilst warning Israel against West Bank annexation as Western nations recognise Palestinian state
President Donald Trump expressed strong confidence about securing a peace deal in Gaza as he welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on Monday, declaring he would do “whatever it takes” to end the nearly two-year conflict that has claimed more than 66,000 Palestinian lives.
“I’m very confident” about the chances of a Gaza deal, Trump told reporters as Netanyahu arrived for their fourth meeting this year, adding that “everybody is on board” for what he described as “something special” in the Middle East.
The high-stakes summit comes as Trump’s administration pushes an ambitious 21-point peace plan that would require Hamas to release all remaining hostages within 48 hours in exchange for a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the establishment of interim Palestinian governance structures.
“We have a real chance for GREATNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Sunday. “ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER. WE WILL GET IT DONE.”
The Peace Plan Details
The American proposal, crafted largely by White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and presented to Arab and Muslim leaders at last week’s UN General Assembly, envisions immediate ceasefire followed by the release of all 48 remaining hostages, approximately 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
Under the plan, Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence would be granted amnesty, whilst those wishing to leave Gaza would receive safe passage. The proposal explicitly rules out any forced displacement of Palestinians and guarantees their right of return, whilst denying Hamas any future role in Gaza’s governance.
Instead, the territory would be administered by two levels of interim governance: an overarching international body and a Palestinian committee, with humanitarian aid distributed by the United Nations and other international organisations at rates no lower than 600 trucks per day.
The plan also includes provisions for Gaza’s reconstruction and, controversially for Netanyahu’s government, recognises aspirations for a future Palestinian state following reforms and redevelopment.
Netanyahu’s Reservations
Despite Trump’s optimism, Netanyahu has yet to formally accept the proposal. In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, the Israeli leader said only that his team was working with Washington to “make it a go,” whilst noting that nothing had been “finalised yet.”
Israeli officials told media outlets that Netanyahu would present reservations and push for changes to the ceasefire plan during Monday’s meeting, particularly opposing any role for the Palestinian Authority and references to future Palestinian statehood.
“Netanyahu will not accept all of the outline as it has been initially published,” one Israeli official stated, whilst another suggested he would likely try to make changes “before the US finalises the proposal and afterwards as well.”
The Israeli leader faces intense pressure from his far-right coalition partners, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatening to collapse the government if the war ends without Hamas’s complete defeat.
“Mr Prime Minister, you do not have a mandate to end the war without a complete defeat of Hamas,” Ben-Gvir wrote on social media platform X on Saturday.
Trump’s Red Line on Annexation
In a significant development, Trump has publicly warned Netanyahu against annexing the occupied West Bank, declaring “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.”
The President confirmed he had discussed the issue directly with Netanyahu, marking his clearest limit yet on support for Israel. The warning comes as Netanyahu’s far-right allies have pushed for annexation in response to recent Palestinian state recognition by Western nations.
Trump’s stance on annexation was reportedly a key condition presented by Arab leaders for supporting his peace plan. The United Arab Emirates, a signatory to the Abraham Accords, has warned that Israeli annexation would be a “red line” that would end regional integration efforts.
International Recognition Wave
The White House meeting occurs against the backdrop of a major diplomatic shift, with the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia formally recognising Palestinian statehood on 21 September, breaking with decades of alignment with US policy.
Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two-state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced, with similar declarations from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
France and Portugal have also joined the recognition wave, bringing the total number of UN member states recognising Palestine to 147 out of 193. The coordinated announcements represent growing international frustration with the prolonged conflict and Israel’s continued settlement expansion.
Netanyahu responded furiously to the recognition announcements, vowing “there will be no Palestinian state west of the Jordan River” and accusing the nations of giving Hamas “a massive prize to terror.”
Mounting Pressure on Netanyahu
White House officials suggest Trump’s patience with Netanyahu is wearing thin, with one administration official stating that “everyone, and I mean everyone, is exasperated with Bibi.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that under the proposed deal, “both sides might have to give up a little bit and might leave the table a little bit unhappy,” suggesting the administration expects compromises from Israel.
The meeting represents a potential turning point for Netanyahu, who must choose between accepting Trump’s plan or risking a public rift with a president who has been Israel’s strongest supporter but now appears willing to apply unprecedented pressure.
Hamas, for its part, stated on Sunday that it had received no new proposal from mediators Egypt and Qatar, though a senior Hamas official, Basem Naim, called the Western recognition of Palestine a “welcomed step” that must be “accompanied by practical measures on the ground.”
The Human Cost Continues
As diplomatic negotiations intensify, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen. The Palestinian Health Ministry reports that more than 66,000 people have been killed since October 2023, with much of the territory destroyed and the majority of the population displaced multiple times.
Israeli forces have recently escalated operations in Gaza City, forcing thousands more to flee as tanks push deeper into urban areas. The ongoing offensive comes despite mounting international calls for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian access.
Outside the White House, dozens of protesters held pictures of both Israeli hostages and Palestinian civilians killed in the conflict, demanding an immediate end to the war and the release of all captives.
As Trump and Netanyahu prepare for their press conference following Monday’s talks, the world watches to see whether this latest diplomatic push can finally bring an end to one of the deadliest conflicts in the region’s recent history.
Vice President JD Vance struck a cautiously optimistic note, telling reporters: “I feel more optimistic about where we are right now than where we have been at any point in the last few months, but let’s be realistic, these things can get derailed at the very last minute.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
Image Credit:
President Donald Trump welcomes Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House — photo by U.S. Department of Defense / U.S. Air Force (DoD Visual Information Division), licensed under CC BY 3.0
