Trump and Netanyahu say they have agreed to a plan to end war in Gaza

President Donald Trump announced Sept. 29 that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to a U.S.-backed framework to end the war in Gaza, contingent on Hamas releasing hostages and Israel withdrawing its troops. 

Speaking at a press conference alongside Netanyahu, Trump said the deal requires Hamas to free hostages within 72 hours and calls for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Israel, in turn, would gradually withdraw forces from Gaza City, where it launched a ground offensive Sept. 16.

As CatholicVote previously reported, several Christians remain in Gaza City amid the violence, including Father Gabriel Romanelli, whose parish is sheltering about 450 people and providing them with food, water, and medicine, according to Vatican News.

Trump described the deal as a path to “sustainable, long-term peace” and expressed optimism that Hamas would accept. However, he said that if they reject the proposal, Netanyahu has “full backing to do what you have to do.”

Netanyahu offered remarks after Trump.

“If Hamas agrees to your plan, Mr. President, the first step will be a modest withdrawal, followed by the release of all our hostages within 72 hours,” the prime minister said. “The next step will be the establishment of an international body charged with fully disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza.”

He warned that if Hamas fails to comply, “then Israel will finish the job.” 

Shortly after the meeting, the White House also released a document detailing its 20-point plan, which includes a map of Israel’s planned withdrawal from the region. The map was posted on X by the official White House “Rapid Response” account.

The plan envisions a “technocratic, apolitical, Palestinian committee” in Gaza City overseen by a “board of peace” led by Trump and including former United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair. It also calls for expanded humanitarian aid while a “Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energize Gaza” is completed.

Hours before the press conference, the White House said Netanyahu apologized to Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani for Israel’s Sept. 9 strike that killed a Qatari serviceman.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his deep regret that Israel’s missile strike against Hamas targets in Qatar unintentionally killed a Qatari serviceman,” the White House said in a statement. “He further expressed regret that, in targeting Hamas leadership during hostage negotiations, Israel violated Qatari sovereignty and affirmed that Israel will not conduct such an attack again in the future.” 

The Qatari prime minister “welcomed these assurances” and affirmed his country’s readiness to “continue contributing meaningfully to regional security and stability,” according to the statement. 

The Israel Defense Forces previously said the strike “targeted the senior leadership” of Hamas during hostage negotiations held in Qatar, which has been a key mediator between Israel and Hamas, CatholicVote reported.

Trump has expressed optimism for days, telling reporters Sept. 26 that a Gaza deal was “very close,” CatholicVote reported. Just last week, the administration floated a similar 21-point framework at the United Nations that included an Israeli withdrawal, a permanent ceasefire, and the release of hostages.