US President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House in Washington, DC on 29 SeptembeR 2025. Photo: AFP / Jim Watson
US President Donald Trump said he is "close" to a peace agreement that would end the war in Gaza following his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The agreement - which Hamas has not yet agreed to - includes the release of all the hostages and the demilitarisation of Gaza.
"We're, at a minimum, very, very close," he said in the State Dining Room. "And I think we're beyond very close."
Trump described Monday as "a big, big day, a beautiful day, potentially one of the great days ever in civilisation."
Just before the media conference the White House issued a 20-point "comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict," which stated that if both sides agree "the war will immediately end."
"I'm formally releasing our principles for peace, which people have really liked, I must say," Trump said. "I want to thank the leaders of many Arab and Muslim nations for their tremendous support in developing the proposal, along with many of our allies in Europe."
President Donald Trump said he discussed his 20-point ceasefire and post-war governance plan for to Gaza with a host of foreign leaders.
Trump said he would chair a transitional "Board of Peace" to supervise the redevelopment of Gaza once the war there ends.
He said it wasn't his decision to head up the body - "Believe me, I'm very busy," he said - but said that he agreed to it anyway.
"The leaders of the Arab world and Israel and everybody involved asked me to do this," he said.
A document released by the White House earlier said the board would include other heads of state, as well as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who played a major role in developing the new plan.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he supports US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza, calling it a "critical step" toward ending the war and achieving peace in the Middle East.
"I believe that today we're taking a critical step towards both ending the war in Gaza and setting the stage for dramatically advancing peace in the Middle East, I think beyond the Middle East," Netanyahu said.
At the media conference Trump said "it's time" for Hamas to agree to a peace deal.
"It's time for Hamas to accept the terms of the plan that we've put forward today," Trump said, adding that there may be fresh willingness following months of heavy casualties.
- CNN live coverage
