Trump Urges Netanyahu to Advance Gaza Plan, Including Hamas Disarmament

U.S. President Donald Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call on Thursday to take steps toward implementing his Gaza plan. The call, which also included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, focused on the need for progress in the plan, which involves disarming Hamas, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, and transferring its administration to a new technocratic Palestinian government. The Trump administration had previously held back on pushing the plan due to Israeli political considerations and elections but is now demanding renewed action regardless of the Israeli government's composition.

The initiative is part of Trump's broader 20-point plan, which Israel and Hamas had reportedly agreed to, leading to the end of a war and the release of hostages. The "Peace Council," established by Trump, is working on implementation mechanisms, including forming a technocratic Palestinian government and deploying an international stabilization force. In July, the council reached an agreement with Hamas on a 15-point plan for disarming armed factions and transferring civil and security responsibilities to the new Palestinian government. However, Netanyahu's government has made little progress, citing Israeli reservations and internal political factors. Netanyahu has expressed doubts about Hamas's commitment to disarmament, accusing the group of rebuilding its military capabilities.

Jared Kushner reportedly informed Netanyahu in August that Hamas had, for the first time, agreed to disarm and urged him to test their sincerity. The Peace Council has been coordinating with the Israeli government and military to finalize the plan and address concerns about Gaza's demilitarization. A U.S. official stated that the process would be gradual, with full verification of disarmament, and that Gaza's reconstruction would not begin until progress is made in dismantling Hamas's military capabilities. In September, the Peace Council proposed an initial reconstruction plan for Gaza worth $2.45 billion over six months, but its implementation requires cooperation from both Israel and Hamas.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Israel following Trump's call to Netanyahu. Blair, a member of the Peace Council's administrative body, met with Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot, who is seeking to form the new Israeli government, urging them to support and implement Trump's plan. A U.S. official emphasized that Washington wants the Israeli government to approve the Gaza steps, which have been delayed for political reasons, acknowledging the plan's difficulty but deeming it beneficial for Israel and requiring full Israeli cooperation.