Trump and Netanyahu Agree to ‘Principles for Peace’ Deal for End to Gaza War

Latest Developments

Trump and Netanyahu Approve Deal to End Gaza War: President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a new peace deal to end the war in Gaza at a joint press conference on September 29. Naming it “Principles for Peace,” Trump called the plan’s release a “historic day for peace.” Netanyahu stated that he supported the plan, saying, “It will bring back to Israel all our hostages, dismantle Hamas’ military capabilities, end its political rule, and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.” If Hamas does not agree to the deal, Trump said that Israel will have his full backing to “finish the job of destroying the threat.” Shortly after the press conference, Muhammad Mardawi, a senior Hamas official, complained that the plan “leans toward the Israeli perspective,” adding, “we need to receive this plan in written and clear form before we respond to it.”
Release of All Hostages: If Hamas agrees to the deal, Israel will immediately pause its air operations in Gaza and withdraw its troops to a predetermined perimeter. Hamas will be required to release all of the 48 hostages currently held in Gaza, including 20 who are believed to still be alive, within 72 hours. After the hostages are released, Israel will release 250 prisoners serving life sentences and an additional 1,700 Gazans who were detained after October 7, 2023. For every dead hostage Hamas releases, Israel will also release the remains of 15 Gazans.
Transitional Government and Security Force: Gaza will be governed by a temporary transitional government composed of technocrats, without the participation of Hamas or the Palestinian Authority (PA), until the PA can be fully restructured. The transitional government will be overseen by an international advisory and supervision board, chaired by Trump, to ensure the plan’s implementation. Security for the enclave will be handled by an International Stabilization Force (ISF), which will be composed of forces from Arab and Muslim countries that have agreed to participate. “[T]he Arab countries… and Muslim countries are going to be dealing with Hamas, and I believe they’ve already been there,” Trump said.

FDD Expert Response

“Trump and Netanyahu coordinated closely to seal the deal, just as they did with the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June. The responsibility is now on Qatar, whose Muslim Brotherhood leaders must now compel the Muslim Brotherhood Hamas terrorists they harbor to accept the deal, release the hostages, disarm completely, and stop using the people of Gaza as human shields.” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“While the plan is ambitious and backed by key regional players, its most critical question remains unanswered: will Hamas agree to disarm? The group’s rhetoric and battlefield conduct suggest otherwise. Qatar, however, reportedly signals confidence that it can sway its ally. Whether this confidence is justified remains uncertain, and observers should remain cautious about the viability of any ceasefire deal that leaves the issue of disarmament unresolved.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal