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Key Points from Donald Trump’s 20-Point ‘Ceasefire Proposal’ for the Gaza Strip?

Provided that the two parties accept a specific series of conditions, the end of fighting will be followed by the release of all Israeli hostages, both dead and alive, “within 72 hours” of Israel’s leadership formally approving the agreement.

In return for the release of hostages, Israel would release 250 Palestinians currently serving indefinite prison terms and an additional 1,700 Palestinians in Gaza held since the conflict started on the 7th of October, 2023 after Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel.

In exchange for every Israeli national held hostage whose body is returned, Israeli officials will hand back the remains of 15 Palestinians who have died.

The strategy does not require a total Israeli retreat before the hostage liberation. Rather, Israel’s military would pull back to an agreed upon line, inside the Gaza area, to get ready for a captive liberation.

The plan says that all military operations, encompassing aerial and artillery bombardment, will be halted throughout the release process and combat positions will remain frozen until “terms are fulfilled for the phased full withdrawal”.

After each detainee are liberated, amnesty will be granted to Hamas affiliates – the Islamist military group that the premier of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has consistently pledged to eliminate – who consent to peaceful coexistence and to disarm themselves.

People who want to exit the Gaza region will be offered secure transit to countries who have agreed to receive them.

This twenty-point proposal envisages Gaza territory as “a de-radicalized terror-free zone that poses zero a risk to its neighbours”. Additionally, it says the region will be “reconstructed for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough”.

Vitally, and contrary to the vision of certain Netanyahu’s extremist political allies, Israel’s leadership will avoid occupying or incorporate the region, which was home to 21 Israeli settlements prior to their populace was removed in 2005.

Furthermore, not any individual be compelled to depart Gaza territory, the strategy guarantees. Individuals who want to exit will be permitted to do so without restriction and allowed to come back.

Hamas as an entity will not be allowed any involvement, “in any form”, in the future governance of the region.

Trump Encourages Representatives to ‘Act Quickly’ as They Assemble in Egypt for Gaza Talks

Donald J. Trump has called on representatives of Hamas and Israel meeting in Egypt for key negotiations focused on halting the war led by Israel in Gaza to “move fast,” stating, in remarks on the day of Sunday, that there had been “highly favorable” conversations.

The US president commented:

We have had extremely constructive negotiations with Hamas representatives, and States from across the planet (Arab and Muslim nations, among others) during the weekend, to liberate the detainees, stop the fighting in the Gaza region but, more importantly, at last achieve long sought PEACE in the area of the Middle East.

These negotiations have been highly productive, and moving quickly. Specialist groups will again meet on Monday, in Egypt, to tackle and refine the remaining specifics. Sources indicate that the initial stage is expected to conclude in the coming days, and I am urging everyone to MOVE FAST.

The US envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to join the discussions, according to sources in Israel, together with representatives from Israel and a Palestinian group led by Al-Hayya, the assistant leader of the administrative wing of the Hamas movement.

Khalil al-Hayya is reportedly due to have discussions with intermediaries from Egyptian and Qatari officials in Cairo, Egypt today in the morning, ahead of negotiations in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh.

However, Israel’s top delegate, the strategic affairs minister Minister Dermer, is slated to attend discussions toward the end of the week, pending developments in the discussions, as per multiple Israeli sources.

Optimism about a potential ceasefire has increased globally, with leaders from the West and Arab nations urging both Hamas and Israel to come to a deal. During Sunday, the Germany’s chancellor, Chancellor Merz, spoke with Israeli PM Netanyahu and voiced backing for the Trump plan, describing it as “the most favorable prospect for stability”, as per a readout.