Hamas accepting proposal could end war now: Trump

Palestinians walk with humanitarian aid packages in Nuseirat, in the central Gaza Strip. PIC/AFP

US President Donald Trump stated on Monday (local time) that the Gaza peace proposal, "if accepted by Hamas," means the "immediate end of the war itself", remarks made during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"If accepted by Hamas, this proposal calls for the release of all remaining hostages immediately, in 72 hours... It means the immediate end to the war itself, not just Gaza... Arab and Muslim countries have committed in writing to demilitarise Gaza, decommission the military capabilities of Hamas and all other terror organisations immediately... destroy all terror infrastructure, including the tunnels, weapons, and production facilities. They have a lot of production facilities that we're destroying..."

Trump expressed hope that there would be "no more shooting" and said that Arab and Muslim countries have "probably an understanding" of dealing with Hamas. "All parties will agree on a timeline for Israeli forces to withdraw in phases... No more shooting, hopefully. As progress is made toward achieving these goals, Arab and Muslim nations need to be allowed the chance to fulfil these commitments of dealing with Hamas... They probably have an understanding... If they're unable to do so, then Israel would have the absolute right and full US backing... Israel will have my fallback to finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas...," Trump added.

He did not rule out the possibility of Hamas "rejecting the deal" and reiterated his full support to Israel to deal with the "danger" posed by Hamas. Netanyahu detailed the plan, including disarming Hamas. He called for a "peaceful civilian administration" to administer Gaza and ruled out any role for Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.

"All our hostages, alive and dead, will return home. Hamas will be disarmed. Gaza will be demilitarised. Israel will retain security responsibility, including a security perimeter for the foreseeable future. Gaza will have a peaceful civilian administration, run neither by Hamas nor by the Palestinian Authority. If Hamas agrees to your plan, the first step will be a withdrawal, followed by the release of all our hostages within 72 hours," he said.

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