WATCH: Trump, Netanyahu inch closer to peace plan for Gaza

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch
The Center Square

There was a glimmer of optimism in Washington on Monday as President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to iron out a potential peace deal, which would bring the nearly two-year war with Hamas to an end.

Trump laid out a 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza, calling for a “terror-free zone” in Gaza, redevelopment of the territory, and the return of all Israeli hostages, including the dead, within 72 hours of Israel accepting the agreement.

To oversee the success of the plan, the president says that if the plan is accepted, he will lead it.

“Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people in Gaza. This committee will be made up of qualified Palestinians and international experts, with oversight and supervision by a new international transitional body, the ‘Board of Peace,’ which will be headed and chaired by President Donald J. Trump, with other members and heads of State to be announced, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair,” according to Trump’s plan.

“This body will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until such time as the Palestinian Authority has completed its reform program, as outlined in various proposals, including President Trump’s peace plan in 2020 and the Saudi-French proposal, and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza. This body will call on best international standards to create modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conducive to attracting investment,” the plan continued.

The plan underscores that Hamas will have no role in the governance of Gaza, adding that regional partners will “ensure that Hamas, and the factions, comply with their obligations.” It also ensures that Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza.

However, Netanyahu issued a warning to Hamas if it decides to reject the deal.

“If Hamas rejects your plan…then Israel will finish the job by itself. This can be done the easy way or it can be done the hard way. But it will be done. We prefer the easy way, but it has to be done.”

While the two leaders appeared hopeful that the deal would lead to peace in the region, they declined to take questions from the press, stating that they wouldn’t comment until the deal had been signed.

Trump used the press conference to tout the Abraham Accords, one of the cornerstone achievements of his first administration. The president is optimistic that more nations will join the accords.