U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for pivotal talks on Monday, urging him to support a peace proposal aimed at ending the nearly two-year-old war in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington on Monday for the fourth time since Donald Trump returned to office in January, aiming to strengthen Israel’s key alliance with the United States amid recent Western recognition of Palestinian statehood—moves both leaders have criticised as concessions to Hamas.
The White House unveiled a new 20-point peace plan for Gaza, calling for an immediate end to the fighting and the return of all hostages, living and deceased, within 72 hours of Israel’s public acceptance. Israeli forces would pull back to agreed lines, and in exchange, Israel would release 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained since 7 October 2023.
Standing alongside Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump said Israel and its partners were “beyond very close” to an agreement that could not only end the war in Gaza but also pave the way for wider regional peace involving Arab states. Trump said it is now up to Hamas to accept the plan.
“We’re not done yet,” he told reporters. “We need Hamas to agree, and I believe they can. Now it’s time for them to accept the terms of the plan we’ve put forward today.” He called the proposal “extremely fair” and acknowledged that building peace will not be easy. Trump added that Arab and Muslim partners are ready to support the people of Gaza, a trilateral security mechanism has been agreed, and the plan envisions a phased Israeli withdrawal. If Hamas accepts, all hostages will be freed. The plan also establishes an international oversight body, the Board of Peace, to monitor implementation.
On the topic of regional peace, Trump brought up the Abraham Accords, suggesting that Iran could eventually join the historic agreement that normalized relations between Israel and four Muslim-majority nations during his first term. Standing beside Netanyahu, he said, “Who knows, maybe even Iran can get in there. I think they're going to be open to it. I really believe that. But they could be a member.”
Both leaders stressed the broader regional goals.
Netanyahu voiced full support for the Gaza plan, saying the plan achieves Israel’s war aims, dismantles Hamas’ military capabilities, and ensures Gaza never again poses a threat. He said Gaza would be demilitarised and governed by a peaceful civilian administration, while the Palestinian Authority cannot play a role without major reforms. Netanyahu also warned that if Hamas rejects the plan, Israel will act to complete the mission independently.
Qatar says it has delivered a U.S. ceasefire proposal to Hamas, which is reportedly reviewing it positively, Egyptian media say, citing security sources.
Trump thanked Netanyahu for agreeing to the 20-point Gaza peace plan, saying it marked a critical step toward ending the conflict, restoring stability, and paving the way for broader regional cooperation.
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Leaders of countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have agreed to hold coordinated population censuses around 2030. They took the decision at the CIS Council of Heads of State meeting in Awaza, Turkmenistan on Friday, media reported.
A powerful explosion has been reported at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, raising fresh concerns over aviation security in Saudi Arabia as tensions across the region continue to escalate.
Britain and Israel have reached a temporary compromise over the future of the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem, easing a diplomatic dispute that had threatened to further strain relations between the two countries.
South African judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday “for her efforts to promote peace and international law,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday (9 October) escalating tensions with European allies and potentially targeting companies that provide services to the tribunal. The move came hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Indian police detained more than 2,000 protesters in Delhi on Saturday as authorities blocked a planned demonstration calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over disputed changes to voter lists.
At least 12 people, including three children, have been killed in a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a deal to ease sanctions on Russian diesel.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports, questioning why Moscow was granted an economic benefit without an apparent concession towards ending the war in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed surprise after Donald Trump mediated the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement in 2025, the U.S. President said at a rally in New York state on Friday.
The United Nations has condemned a sharp rise in attacks on civilians in Ukraine, reporting that more than 100 people were killed and at least 429 injured in a single week as Russian strikes hit residential areas, passenger buses and critical infrastructure.
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