• The Trump administration has presented a comprehensive 20-point peace proposal for Gaza, conditioning an immediate ceasefire on Hamas's acceptance
  • Key terms include release of all hostages within 72 hours, demilitarization of Gaza, and deployment of an international stabilization force
  • Israeli officials have signaled alignment with much of the proposal but publicly reject the conditional pathway to Palestinian statehood

Waiting for Hamas Response

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that his administration has presented a detailed peace proposal to end the Gaza conflict, with negotiators now awaiting Hamas's response before further progress can be made. The 20-point plan, unveiled on September 29, 2025, represents the most comprehensive diplomatic initiative since the conflict escalated following Hamas's October 7, 2023 attacks.

"We've laid out a clear path forward, but everything hinges on Hamas making the right decision," Trump said in brief remarks to reporters. "We're waiting for them to accept what is a very reasonable proposal that would stop the fighting immediately and bring relief to the people of Gaza."

Proposal Terms and Conditions

The proposal's central condition requires Hamas to agree to terms before implementation can begin. According to officials familiar with the negotiations, the agreement would trigger an immediate ceasefire and require the release of all hostages—both living and deceased—within 72 hours of Israeli acceptance. The framework also includes significant prisoner exchanges, with 250 Israeli-held prisoners and 1,700 Gazans scheduled for release.

Perhaps the most contentious element involves the complete demilitarization of Gaza and its transformation into what the proposal describes as a "terror-free zone." This would be enforced by an international stabilization force, though specific contributing nations have not been named. The plan further calls for establishing transitional governance in Gaza by Palestinian technocrats operating under international supervision.

Political Reactions and Sticking Points

While the Israeli government has signaled general alignment with the proposal's security provisions, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected the conditional pathway to Palestinian statehood included in the document. "We welcome the focus on demilitarization and hostage return," said a senior Israeli official who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations. "But certain political elements remain unacceptable."

International reaction has been cautiously optimistic, with France, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and several other Arab states welcoming the proposal as a potential breakthrough. However, Hamas officials have already rejected the demilitarization clause, creating a significant obstacle to acceptance.

Efforts to reach Hamas representatives for comment were unsuccessful Sunday. People familiar with the group's internal deliberations say leadership remains divided on whether to engage with the proposal or maintain their current stance.

Implementation Challenges

Even if Hamas were to accept the terms, experts question whether the ambitious demilitarization requirements are practically enforceable. "The devil is always in the implementation," said a former U.S. diplomat now advising on Middle East policy. "Demilitarizing an area with extensive tunnel networks and entrenched militant groups presents enormous operational challenges."

The proposal does include provisions for large-scale reconstruction and humanitarian aid for Gaza, which could provide significant incentive for acceptance. However, the timeline for these benefits remains unclear, and previous ceasefire attempts in late 2023 and early 2025 ultimately collapsed when violence resumed after a March 2025 Israeli attack.

Trump emphasized that without Hamas's agreement, Israel retains the right to continue military operations. "If they reject this opportunity for peace, the fighting will continue," he warned. "The ball is in their court."

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the number of Gazan prisoners to be released. It is 1,700, not 17,000.