Trump offers Netanyahu cover as Israel's far right recoils at Gaza peace plan

TEL AVIV — The plan presented Monday by US President Donald Trump for ending the two-year Israel-Hamas war is the most comprehensive and ambitious Israeli-Palestinian peace plan since the Oslo Accords were signed on the White House lawn 33 years ago under President Bill Clinton. The blueprint has found a mixed reception in Israel, ranging from deep skepticism to appreciation.

Trump’s 20-point peace blueprint follows numerous failed attempts by the Biden administration, Trump administration, Qatar and Egypt to broker an Israel-Hamas deal to end the war and release the 48 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas since Oct. 7, 2023. Among the leading players in the Arab and Muslim world, it enjoys the backing of Qatar and Turkey, which have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, which shares Hamas' ideological roots. 

A senior Israeli diplomatic source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, "Unlike previous efforts to reach an agreement, this time thorough preparatory work was done and all the right elements were mobilized to pressure Hamas to accept the outline."

The inclusion of two top Trump aides, his son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, was also by design from Israel's perspective. Both are known as staunch Israel supporters and enjoy a warm relationship with Netanyahu.