The fate of the Middle East may hinge on the details of a 21-point document that President Donald Trump will present to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. While the full text is not public, reports suggest this U.S.-led plan is a highly detailed blueprint for moving from all-out war to a stable and lasting peace in Gaza.
The plan is reportedly structured in phases. The first phase focuses on ending the immediate hostilities through a comprehensive ceasefire. This would be directly tied to the verifiable release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas, addressing one of Israel’s most painful and pressing demands.
A second, and perhaps most challenging, phase would involve the complete disarmament of Hamas. The plan is said to contain specific mechanisms for how this would be achieved and monitored, likely involving an international presence on the ground. This element is designed to assure Israel that the threat from Gaza will be permanently removed.
The third and most forward-looking part of the plan deals with the “day after.” This section lays out the creation of a transitional authority, details its mandate for reconstruction and governance, and charts a course for the eventual return of a reformed Palestinian Authority. It is this part of the blueprint that faces the most strenuous objections from Netanyahu.
This 21-point deal is the product of intensive diplomacy with Arab states, designed to be a comprehensive package that offers something to all sides. The critical test on Monday will be whether Prime Minister Netanyahu sees it as a viable blueprint for a secure future or a house of cards built on risky assumptions.