Washington, September 29, 2025 — US President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled a sweeping 20-point roadmap that he claimed could bring “an immediate end” to the Gaza war if accepted by both Israel and Hamas. The plan, announced in Washington after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and shared with Arab leaders during last week’s UN General Assembly, outlines a phased ceasefire, a large-scale prisoner-hostage exchange, and a new governance framework for Gaza.
Ceasefire and Hostage Exchange
At the heart of the proposal is an immediate cessation of hostilities. Under the plan, Israeli forces would halt all ground and air operations and withdraw to agreed positions within Gaza. Within 72 hours of Israel’s acceptance, Hamas would be required to release all Israeli hostages, living or deceased, in exchange for 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained since the October 7, 2023 attacks — including all women and children. For every deceased Israeli hostage returned, Israel would transfer the remains of 15 Palestinians killed during the conflict.
During this stage, battle lines would remain frozen and bombardments suspended. Israeli withdrawal would then proceed in phases, tied to benchmarks for the dismantling of Hamas’ military infrastructure.
The Future of Hamas
The roadmap stipulates that Hamas will have no role in Gaza’s future governance, directly or indirectly. Instead, members are presented with two options: disarm and integrate into civilian life under an internationally funded reintegration programme, or accept exile to third countries willing to receive them. Demilitarisation would be monitored by independent observers under the oversight of Israel, the United States, and regional guarantors, with the stated goal of “permanently placing weapons beyond use.”
Transitional Governance
To avoid a post-conflict power vacuum, the plan calls for a two-tiered transitional authority. Day-to-day administration would be managed by a “technocratic, apolitical” Palestinian committee composed of professionals and supported by international experts. Above it, a new supervisory body — the Board of Peace, chaired by President Trump — would coordinate governance frameworks, reconstruction funding, and oversight of humanitarian aid. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has been named as one of its inaugural members.
The arrangement is explicitly linked to Trump’s economic vision for Gaza, which envisions rebuilding the territory into “New Gaza,” a hub of prosperity modelled on other Middle Eastern development projects.
Humanitarian Relief and Reconstruction
Humanitarian assistance is described as an immediate priority. Aid flows, including food, medicine, fuel, and construction materials, would resume under the management of neutral agencies such as the United Nations and the Red Crescent. Neither Israel nor Hamas would be permitted to interfere. The Rafah crossing with Egypt would reopen under mechanisms agreed in January 2025.
A special economic zone is also proposed to attract investment, with preferential tariffs and oversight by Middle East urban development experts.
International Security Role
Security would be guaranteed by a newly created International Stabilisation Force (ISF), supported by regional actors including Egypt and Jordan. The ISF would secure borders, prevent arms smuggling, train vetted Palestinian police, and facilitate the safe movement of goods and aid. Over time, Israeli forces would transfer occupied areas to the ISF and eventually withdraw, though Israel may retain a perimeter presence until Gaza is deemed secure.
Palestinian Statehood Question
The roadmap stops short of recognising Palestinian statehood but gestures towards it as a “political horizon.” Future dialogue on self-determination would be conditional upon Gaza’s reconstruction and reforms within the Palestinian Authority (PA). However, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has already rejected any PA role in Gaza without what he termed “radical transformation.”
Reactions and Next Steps
Netanyahu endorsed the plan’s overall framework but warned that Israel would pursue a military solution if Hamas rejects it or violates its terms. Hamas has yet to issue a formal response. Regional intermediaries, including Qatar and Egypt, are currently relaying the proposal to Hamas negotiators.
International attention has focused on the unusual provision naming Trump as chair of the Board of Peace — a move that places the US president directly at the centre of Gaza’s post-war governance architecture.
Outlook
Trump’s roadmap represents the most detailed American peace initiative since the outbreak of the Gaza war. By linking ceasefire conditions, prisoner exchanges, governance, demilitarisation, aid, and economic incentives, it seeks to combine security guarantees with long-term reconstruction. Yet its success depends on Hamas’ compliance, the unity of Israel’s leadership, and the willingness of international partners to underwrite both security and redevelopment.
For now, the future of Gaza remains uncertain — caught between the promise of “New Gaza” and the possibility of renewed conflict if the plan fails to gain traction.
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