Israel accepts Gaza ceasefire plan; ‘If Hamas rejects the plan, Israel will finish the job’

Israel has accepted the US-prepared plan for the Gaza ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the announcement at a joint press conference at the White House. ‘We support Trump’s plan to end the war. Trump’s plan is to provide a realistic path for Gaza. That plan will meet our goals in the war. There will be peaceful civilian rule in Gaza. Hamas will be disarmed. Gaza will be demilitarized. Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza in accordance with the extent of Hamas’s disarmament. The Palestinian Authority cannot play any role in Gaza without a transformation. We are committed to ending the war in Gaza and restoring peace in the Middle East. October 7 will not be forgotten. After that day, the enemies realized that there would be no peace if they attacked Israel. If Hamas rejects Trump's ceasefire plan, Israel will finish its job.' - Netanyahu said.

US President Donald Trump said that he was very close to a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. 'I thank Netanyahu for accepting the ceasefire plan. Hamas must release all hostages within 72 hours of Israel's official acceptance of the proposals. An interim international committee will be formed under his chairmanship for the reconstruction of Gaza. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair will be a member. The names of other members will be announced in the coming days. Hamas and other terrorist organizations will have no direct or indirect role in the committee or in the future governance of Gaza. Aid distribution in Gaza will be carried out through agencies including the UN and the Red Crescent. No one will be expelled from Gaza. Under the plan, Arab countries will commit to demilitarizing Gaza and eliminating the military capabilities of Hamas and all other terrorist organizations. Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza in phases. If Hamas accepts the proposals, Israel will stop the attack. It is believed that the most favorable response will be received from Hamas. If Hamas rejects the ceasefire plan, Israel has the right to complete the work of eliminating the Hamas threat. The US will fully support it. Netanyahu is clear in his opposition to a Palestinian state.’ – Trump said. Trump criticized the position of the countries that have recognized the Palestinian state as unwise. Both did not respond to questions from reporters. Meanwhile, Hamas responded that Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan was not received in writing.

Earlier, during talks with Donald Trump, Netanyahu had apologized to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani by phone. Netanyahu apologized for attacking Qatar. Israel carried out airstrikes in Doha on the 9th of this month targeting Hamas leaders. Trump had expressed his disapproval of the attack on Qatar, a close US ally.

This is Benjamin Netanyahu's fourth visit to the US since Trump took office in January. Netanyahu arrived at the White House to discuss the US plan for a ceasefire in Gaza. The talks came after Trump's previous claims that the wars in Gaza and Ukraine would soon end have not materialized. Trump had said the other day that he was close to a ceasefire agreement.

Israel has been isolated among the world's countries since it launched an attack on Qatar to assassinate Hamas leaders and intensified its attack to capture Gaza. On the 26th, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood up to address the UN General Assembly, representatives from most countries booed and walked out of the assembly.