Netanyahu Publicly Backed Trump’s 2025 Gaza Peace Plan Yet Official Israeli Policy Remains Unchanged

In late September 2025, former US President Donald Trump unveiled a surprising peace vision that included a path to a Palestinian state and the release of hostages, receiving explicit public support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu declared on camera at the White House, "Yes, I do," endorsing the plan’s clause recognizing Palestinian aspirations for statehood following reforms in the Palestinian Authority. Trump’s initiative promised a reliable framework for Palestinian self-determination alongside dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities and ensuring Gaza would no longer threaten Israel.

Despite Netanyahu’s vocal backing and the subsequent signing in October 2025 by then-Minister Ron Dermer of an implementation document that secured the release of all living hostages, the broader peace agreement has not materialized. The Gaza conflict persists, with ongoing Israeli military operations and territorial control expanding from 52 to approximately 65 percent of the Gaza Strip. The promised end to hostilities and full peace has yet to be realized.

Israeli officials and peace council members now reflect on the gap between Netanyahu’s public support and the lack of formal government endorsement. The Trump peace plan, though supported by Netanyahu’s voice, never received official cabinet or Knesset approval. Only minimal measures, such as limiting sentences for terrorists released under the deal, were ratified. This pattern of informal decision-making during wartime and election campaigns raises concerns about Israel’s policy process.

The future of Gaza, Hamas’s status, and any potential demilitarization remain uncertain amid these unresolved political dynamics. The article highlights the contrast between Netanyahu’s public commitments and the cautious, fragmented official approach, underscoring the complexities of Israeli decision-making in conflict resolution.