• The Trump administration's 28-point Gaza peace plan has been fine-tuned with input from both Israeli and Palestinian parties, with only a few remaining points of disagreement.
  • Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has been directed to meet with President Putin in Moscow in a final push to secure the agreement.
  • The plan includes an immediate ceasefire, phased Israeli withdrawal, humanitarian aid entry, and envisions Palestinian Authority governance of Gaza by 2027 with interim international oversight.

Diplomatic Breakthrough in the Making

The Trump administration is closing in on a comprehensive Gaza peace agreement, with the original 28-point U.S.-drafted proposal having been refined through negotiations with Israeli, Hamas, and other regional stakeholders. According to officials familiar with the matter, only limited points of contention remain unresolved as diplomatic efforts intensify.

In a significant move to finalize the agreement, former President Trump confirmed he has directed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. This high-level engagement underscores the complex geopolitical dimensions of the negotiations and the administration's determination to secure Russian cooperation or, at minimum, non-opposition to the emerging framework.

The Framework for Peace

The fine-tuned plan, which builds upon the ceasefire agreement enforced by the Trump administration on October 9, 2025, outlines a detailed roadmap toward stability. Key provisions include an immediate end to military operations pending Israeli cabinet approval, followed by the phased withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces from Gaza and the coordinated entry of critical humanitarian assistance. A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the negotiations as "entering the final hundred meters" but cautioned that the most sensitive issues often prove the most difficult to resolve.

Perhaps the most ambitious element involves the envisioned transfer of Gaza's governance to the Palestinian Authority by 2027. During the interim period, an International Stabilization Force (ISF) would provide security and oversight, a structure that has received a significant boost from the UN Security Council's endorsement of a U.S.-drafted resolution. While China and Russia abstained from the vote, their decision not to veto provided crucial international legitimacy for the process.

A Delicate Balance

Despite the palpable momentum, the process remains fragile. Both sides have already exchanged accusations of violating the current ceasefire terms, eroding the trust necessary for implementing a more permanent arrangement. The Trump administration's direct engagement with multiple parties, including Russia, marks a distinct shift from prior U.S. diplomatic approaches to the conflict.

Efforts to reach Steve Witkoff's team for comment on his upcoming Moscow agenda were unsuccessful. The involvement of a multinational stabilization force and direct international oversight represents a notable departure from previous peace frameworks, though experts warn that without addressing fundamental issues of sovereignty and long-term political rights, any agreement risks being another temporary pause in a long-standing cycle of violence.