The White House presented the plan as a unified package backed by Israel, the United States and Arab partners, while behind the scenes, the document differed significantly from the version previously negotiated with Arab mediators.
Such differences are a direct result of Netanyahu’s intervention, according to Axios.
Behind the closed doors of Sunday’s marathon discussions, White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — Trump’s son-in-law — held six-hour talks with Netanyahu and confidant Ron Dermer, according to Axios.
Witkoff later told Fox News the plan enjoys “a lot of buy-in” and that “we have some details to work out,” signalling continued, intense diplomacy even after Monday’s public rollout.
During these six-hour talks, Netanyahu secured edits that tie any Israeli withdrawal from Gaza to the disarmament of Hamas and give Israel an effective veto over the withdrawal timetable, according to Axios.
Even if the three phases of withdrawal succeed, the proposal says Israeli forces would “remain within a security perimeter inside Gaza until Gaza is properly secure from any resurgent terror threat,” a provision that could amount to indefinite Israeli presence.
The deal was presented simultaneously to both Israel and Hamas: While Trump and Netanyahu discussed the plan at the White House, Egypt and Qatar took the text to Hamas.
Qatar made resuming mediation conditional on an apology from Netanyahu for an Israeli strike in Doha; Netanyahu phoned the Qatari prime minister from the White House to convey that apology hours before the plan’s release.
US officials said they hope to get a response from Hamas before the end of the week, and the plan sets a tight clock for captives to return: “Within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned,” the text states.
But US and Arab officials caution that even a positive reply from Hamas would not deliver an immediate or complete settlement.
Hamas said Tuesday it will discuss US President Donald Trump’s new plan for Gaza within the group and with other Palestinian factions before responding.
Palestinians were entirely excluded from the drafting of the plan. Until its public announcement, none of the Palestinian factions or institutions had been approached or informed.
Trump framed the choice bluntly on Monday, warning that Hamas must accept or face force. “If Hamas rejects the deal, Bibi, you will have our full backing to do what you have to do,” he told Netanyahu, according to Axios.
The proposed ceasefire text states that all remaining captives are to be returned within 72 hours of Israel accepting the ceasefire proposal, according to Axios.
Israel has already publicly backed the plan.
The plan also contains a built-in contingency that scaled-up aid and measures would proceed in what it terms “the terror-free areas handed over” to an interim security force if Hamas delays or refuses.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar welcomed Trump’s “sincere efforts” to end the war in Gaza, reaffirming their firm support for Palestinian rights and the two-state solution.
The joint statement emphasized that a lasting resolution must ensure the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, prevent forced displacement, secure the release of hostages, and establish a security mechanism that protects all sides.
Trump’s ceasefire proposal outlines a vision for Gaza as a demilitarized zone, paired with large-scale reconstruction and humanitarian aid.
A central element of the plan involves a captive and prisoner exchange, with Israel to free thousands of detainees once Hamas returns all hostages within 72 hours of the deal’s acceptance.
Governance would be handed to a technocratic Palestinian committee under the supervision of a new international “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump. At the same time, an International Stabilization Force would secure borders and support local police.
While Israel pledges no annexation, its withdrawal is tied to benchmarks for disarmament, with a security perimeter maintained until threats are eliminated.
The plan also promises economic development, interfaith dialogue, and a US-led political process toward Palestinian self-determination.
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