Netanyahu Outlines Phased Gaza Withdrawal As Peace Negotiations Intensify Under Trump’s Urgent International Mediation

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US President Donald Trump on Monday sternly warned Israel and Hamas to move faster on the Gaza peace plan, stressing that "time is of the essence" in order to avoid more escalation in the conflict.

Addressing through his Truth Social platform, Trump underscored the urgency of the issue, warning that not moving fast would result in "massive bloodshed — something that nobody wants to see."

Trump Urges Swift Gaza Peace Action 

Trump said that there have been ‘positive talks’ with Hamas and other nations about the peace plan, explaining that diplomatic efforts were moving fast. He also mentioned that technical teams would meet in Egypt to conclude the details of the plan.

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 The first phase of the plan, according to the US President, would target the release of hostages, in addition to efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

The peace plan, supported by a number of Arab and Muslim states, aims to solve several issues, such as Israel's retreat from Gaza.

The release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees, relief and recovery measures, and halting forced Palestinian expulsions from the land. Although Hamas declared conditional support for some aspects of the plan, the movement is still studying the nitty-gritty.

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Trump directly warned Hamas to accept the peace agreement with Israel immediately or risk ‘further devastation’ in the Gaza Strip. He warned Hamas even as he cautioned Israel to stop bombing missions in the area.

Netanyahu Outlines Gaza Plan Phases

Even with this warning, there were reports that the airstrikes by Israel persisted and had killed six in the Gaza Strip just hours after Trump's warning. Trump afterwards reported that Israel had committed to a first line of withdrawals and a ceasefire would be forthcoming, subject to Hamas' assent.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke on the issue, hoping for the soon-to-be-released hostages from Gaza. "My brothers and sisters, residents of Israel, we are standing on the brink of a very great victory."

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This is not definitive yet, but I hope in the next few days, during the holiday of Sukkot, to be able to declare the return of all of our hostages, the dead and the living," Netanyahu stated in a video address.

But Netanyahu emphasized that Israel will "disarm" Hamas either diplomatically or militarily. He explained that Israel's military will remain in control of some areas in Gaza and that demilitarization of Hamas would be done during the plan's second phase.

Can Gaza Peace Plan Succeed Swiftly?

“I am told that the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST. I will continue to monitor this centuries-old “conflict.” TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OR, MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW - SOMETHING THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SEE!” Trump wrote in a post on his TruthSocial platform.

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The global community is anxiously watching these developments, hoping that the accelerated peace initiative will yield a lasting solution to the decades-old Gaza conflict. Both sides now face a massive amount of pressure to move quickly and avoid further bloodshed, as well as to secure the long-desired peace in the region.