US President Donald Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take steps to implement his Gaza peace plan during a phone call, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
The plan calls for Hamas to be disarmed and Gaza to be demilitarised, with responsibility for governing the Palestinian territory transferred to a new technocratic government, Axios reported.
Implementation has been on hold for months because of Israel’s October 27 elections, the sources said.
Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of Trump’s 20-point plan a year ago, leading to a ceasefire and the release of the last 20 living hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Over the past three months, Trump’s Board of Peace has worked with Israeli officials and the military to refine the plan and address concerns about demilitarisation.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff also participated in Thursday’s call.
Former British prime minister Tony Blair, a member of the Board of Peace, visited Israel the following day.
“Implementation will be difficult but we believe it is a good plan for Israel. Nevertheless we can’t do it with one hand tied behind our back,” a US official said.
