Middle East: Trump, Netanyahu call for Hamas to accept plan

European leaders have begun reacting to the news of the proposed peace plan to end the war in Gaza. Here's a roundup of who's said what so far: 

Germany

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described the peace proposal as a "unique opportunity" for people in Gaza "suffering from fierce fighting, cruel captivity and unimaginable humanitarian distress." 

He urged Hamas to accept the plan and appealed to anyone with influence over the group to press it to act.

"This chance must not be wasted. Hamas must seize it," he said.

France

French President Emmanuel Macron said on X that Hamas had "no choice but to immediately release all hostages and follow this plan." 

In a post repeated in Arabic and Hebrew, he said peace in the region must be based on the two-state solution.

United Kingdom

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on "all sides to come together" and work with the US to finalize the agreement and bring it into reality. 

"Hamas should now agree to the plan and end the misery, by laying down their arms and releasing all remaining hostages," Starmer said.

Italy

In a post on X, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni urged "all parties to seize this opportunity and accept" the peace plan to end the humanitarian crisis affecting Gaza, which she called an "an utterly unjustifiable and unacceptable tragedy."

She emphasized that peace is possible in the Middle East, with the "State of Israel and a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security."

European Union

European Council President Antonio Costa also urged all parties to "seize this moment to give peace a genuine chance." 

He said on X that he was encouraged by the "positive response" of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the plan.

"The situation in Gaza is intolerable. Hostilities must end, and all hostages must be released immediately," he added.

Unfortunately, we journalists were not given the opportunity to ask crucial questions after the statements and many significant sticking points remain. 

The deal says if Hamas refuses to cooperate, Israel could very well continue its military actions unabated. What does that mean for future peace-making efforts?

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu are demanding that Hamas demilitarize… and saying that members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries. But where would they go?

Who is in a position to convince Hamas to take the deal? Is it the Emir of Qatar, who received an apology from Netanyahu after Israeli strikes on Doha, or Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a known ally of Trump? What incentives does Hamas have to agree?

While the two world leaders are framing this as a crucial moment in history, the truth is that more questions remain unanswered than resolved.

A joint statement by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt appreciated Donald Trump's "leadership and sincere efforts to end the war in Gaza" while asserting their "confidence in his ability to find a path to peace."

The ministers also welcomed Trump's vows to "rebuild Gaza, prevent the displacement of the Palestinian people and not allow the annexation of the West Bank."

Going forward, the group said they were keen to work "constructively" with the United States.

The statement concluded, though, by calling for a Gaza which "is fully integrated with the West Bank in a Palestinian state in accordance with international law as key to achieving regional stability and security."

These are red lines for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while Trump has shown no indication that he or the United States is ready to recognize a Palestinian state.

The Palestinian Authority on Monday welcomed US President Donald Trump's "sincere and determined efforts," following his announcement of a plan to end the war in Gaza.

The Palestinian Authority said it has "confidence in his ability to find a path toward peace," according to comments carried by Palestinian news agency WAFA.

It reiterated its commitment to work with the US and partners to reach a comprehensive deal that includes "paving way for just peace on the basis of two-state solution."

The Palestinian Authority exercises partial civil control over the Palestinian enclaves in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. It does not control the Gaza Strip.

Qatar's prime minister and Egypt's intelligence chief have presented Donald Trump's peace plan to Hamas, according to multiple reports.

Hamas negotiators are now reviewing it in "good faith," according to a person familiar with the matter and reported on by the Associated Press.

The person spoke on the condition anonymity.

Although Hamas has yet to sign off on the plan, Trump said he was hopeful of a positive response from the Palestinian militant group.

A senior Hamas official told the AFP news agency on Monday that the Palestinian group had yet to receive US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan.

"We have not received Trump's proposal. We will study it and respond once we receive it," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The Reuters news agency also reported that Hamas had not yet seen the peace plan that Trump spoke about at a news conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier on Monday.

As the news conference came to an end, US President Donald Trump said he wouldn't take questions on Monday's developments.

He then turned to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and asked whether he would like to take a question from a "friendly" Israeli reporter.

However, Netanyahu said he would trust Trump's instincts and not take questions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel would "retain security responsibility" for Gaza under a US-backed peace plan.

Standing alongside Trump and in front of the world's media, Netanyahu said Israel would "finish the job" of destroying Hamas if the group rejected the Trump-proposed deal.

"Hamas will be disarmed," Netanyahu said. "Gaza will be demilitarized. Israel will retain security responsibility, including a security perimeter, for the foreseeable future. And lastly, Gaza will have a peaceful, civilian administration that is run neither by Hamas nor by the Palestinian Authority."

"If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr. President, or if they supposedly accept it and then, then basically do everything to counter it, 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," Netanyahu added.

US President Donald Trump urged Palestinians to "take responsibility for their destiny" by pushing for acceptance of a peace deal with Israel.

"There are many Palestinians who wish to live in peace," Trump said alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

"If the Palestinian Authority does not complete the reforms that I laid out ... they'll have only themselves to blame," Trump added.

US President Donald Trump said Hamas has not accepted his plan to end the war in Gaza, but he is hopeful.

Trump also said Israel will have the "full backing" of the United States to take steps to defeat Hamas if it doesn't accept the peace deal.

Trump added that Hamas "will play no role in the governance of Gaza."

"We can never forget October 7," he said. "Now it's the time to get our hostages back."

Netanyahu was "very clear about his opposition to a Palestinian state," Trump said.

"I understand and respect his position on many things," the US president added.

US President Donald Trump said his 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza had been well received.

"I want to thank the leaders of many Arab and Muslim nations for their tremendous support in developing the proposal, along with our many allies in Europe," he said at a White House news conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump also thanked Netanyahu "for agreeing to the plan," which the US president said would bring long-term "peace and prosperity for the entire region."

The 21-point plan by US President Donald Trump to end the war in Gaza was made public before his press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

There has been no immediate word on whether Israel or Hamas has accepted the arrangement presented by the US administration.

The plan includes provisions that Gaza residents will not be forcibly displaced and that Trump will head a transitional body. This body would also include heads of state and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The White House said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised Qatar that it will not strike the Gulf country again.

This comes after reports of an apology from Netanyahu, that he made in a phone call to the Qatar prime minister during his visit to the White House.

It is Netanyahu's fourth visit to the US capital since Trump returned to office in January.

A news conference will be commencing shortly as US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu address the media at the White House after the two leaders met for pivotal talks.

Earlier on Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "Ultimately the president knows when you get to a good deal, both sides are going to leave a little bit unhappy," Leavitt said. "But we need this conflict to end."

Germany, France and Britain will "continue to pursue diplomatic channels and negotiations" despite the reimposition of UN sanctions on Iran, the three nations said in a joint statement circulated by the German Foreign Ministry on Monday.

"The reinstatement of UN sanctions does not mean the end of diplomacy," the statement said. "We urge Iran to refrain from any escalatory actions and to resume compliance with its legally binding obligations regarding safeguards."

On Sunday, Iran said the decision to reimpose sanctions on its nuclear program was unlawful.

"The measure taken by the three European countries is flawed from a legal and procedural point of view and is therefore null and void," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote to UN Secretary General António Guterres in a letter posted on X.

Germany, France and Britain have all accused Iran of being non-compliant with a 2015 agreement (The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) aimed at preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief and other provisions.

While Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, Western countries accuse the Iranian government of seeking an atomic weapon.

Iran suspended cooperation with IAEA inspectors in July after key nuclear facilities were attacked in June by Israel and then the United States.