Image source, Reuters

Moments before Trump and Netanyahu took the stage, the US released details of its proposed peace plan for Gaza.

Israel has agreed to the 20-point plan, but Hamas has not.

The proposal, if followed, would begin with the immediate cessation of military operations. It also says existing "battle lines" would be frozen in place.

Under the plan, Hamas would lay down its arms and its offensive weaponry would be destroyed. It would release 20 living Israeli hostages and the remains of more than two dozen believed to be dead within 72 hours.

Once those hostages are released, the proposal says Israel would release hundreds of detained Gazans.

It also says that once both sides agree to the proposal "full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip".

The US also outlines its plan for the future governance of Gaza. It says a "technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee" will govern temporarily "with oversight and supervision by a new international transitional body, the Board of Peace, which will be headed" by Trump. Former UK PM Tony Blair, and other leaders "to be announced", would also be part of the governing body.

It adds that Hamas must have no role in governance, "directly, indirectly, or in any form".

Much of the plan is focused on what the US calls an "economic development plan" to rebuild Gaza. It also says "Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza" and its forces will withdraw from the territory in stages over time.

The plan also leaves the door open to an eventual Palestinian state.

Netanayhu says they didn't fight this "horrible" fight for Hamas to stay in Gaza.

He goes on to say the Palestinian Authority can have no role in Gaza without undergoing a "radical and genuine overhaul".

He adds this peace plan can be "a new beginning" for Gaza and the entire Middle East region, and the Abraham Accords could be "re-energised" and be expanded to other Arab and Muslim nations.

Netanyahu finishes speaking, and Trump says it is not appropriate to take questions from journalists.

Stick with us, we will bring you analysis and further details as soon as we can.

Netenyahu says all hostages - living and dead - should be returned within 72 hours.

He says all parties are being given the chance to do this peacefully, but if Hamas rejects the plan, or they supposedly accept it then don't follow through, "we will finish the job", he says.

"This can be done the easy way or it can be done the hard way, but it will be done," he said.

Netanyahu says today's meeting is a critical step not just to end the war in Gaza but also to set the table for peace across the Middle East.

"I support your plan to end the war in Gaza," Netanyahu says, referencing Trump's 20-point peace plan.

The Israeli PM says the plan would ensure Israel is not under threat from Hamas again.

He goes on to thank the soldiers of Israel whom, he says fight "like lions" against "barbarism".

Image source, EPA

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is speaking now.

He starts by thanking Trump for hosting him again at the White House, and for his "friendship and leadership".

He calls Trump the "greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House" and says no one else comes close.

Trump says it is now up to Hamas to accept the "extremely fair" proposal.

He says the task of building peace will not be easy, but there are "too many lives are at stake" to not try.

There are many Palestinians who want to live in peace, but they need "to take responsibility" for their destiny, Trump says.

Palestinians have had a "rough life" with Hamas, Trump says.

But if they do not agree to his plan, Trump adds, then they only have themselves to blame.

Trump says the US wants to get along with Iran.

He praises the Abraham Accords and says “and who knows maybe even Iran can get in there.”

"I think they are going to be open to it," Trump says.

"At some point, Iran will be a member of the accords," he says, adding that it would be a "great thing for them economically.”

For context: The Abraham Accords were a series of agreements reached in 2020 that saw several Arab nations formalise their relationships with Israel and agree to cooperating with it, including in the security and intelligence sectors

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

Image source, Reuters

​After more than an hour of a delay, the news conference here at the White House began with a triumphant tone from Trump, who teased an "important meeting" that would help create "eternal" peace in the Middle East.

And while Trump was quick to list his allies in the region, there are still many details that need to be ironed out before the steps he's describing - such as the demilitarisation of Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces - can take place.

"We're right there," Trump said, although he acknowledged that Hamas has yet to answer.

Part of the White House's plan seems to be to make it very clear to Hamas that the US will wash its hands of Israeli military escalation should they refuse.

Trump seems slightly subdued compared to most of his public appearances, perhaps because of the long talks that took place today.

The US president has dominated this conversation so far and been careful not to criticise Netanyahu.

Image source, Reuters

Trump says Netanyahu is a "warrior" who doesn't know about "getting back to a normal way of life".

Israel is "lucky to have him", he says, but its people are ready for peace and "normalisation in the true sense".

We're now hearing about how Trump sees this plan being implemented.

He says a "board of peace" will oversee the plan. That board will be headed by Trump, he says.

Leaders from other countries will also be on the board.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair wants to be on the board, Trump says, without naming any other members.

Trump says he has not dealt with Hamas, but the Arab and Muslim countries "will be dealing with Hamas".

“They have to deal with them,” he says.

"I think they probably have an understanding,” Trump says.

He says that if they are unable to do so [deal with Hamas], Israel would have full US backing, he says, “to finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas.”

Hamas is the only party left to agree to the deal, Trump says.

As part of the plan, Trump says Hamas tunnels and production facilities would be destroyed.

It would also involve training local police forces, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would withdraw from Gaza in phases.

The threat of Hamas will be "destroyed," he says and Netanyahu would have Trump's full backing to "do what he has to do".

Trump says the bodies of hostages who have died will be returned immediately, if the peace plan is agreed to. He says it will also mean "the immediate end to the war itself".

Arab and Muslim countries have committed to "de-militarise Gaza" quickly, as part of the plan.

Trump continues to mention world leaders from the region he has spoken with about bringing peace to the Middle East, including Egypt, Pakistan and Jordan.

He says if accepted by Hamas, this plan calls for the release of all hostages being held.

Trump thanks Netanyahu for "agreeing to the plan".

He adds that he has had meetings with "so many countries" to discuss the proposal, including leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. He says they have been "very much involved".

"Today is a historic day for peace", says Trump.

He says he and the Israeli PM just concluded a meeting – most importantly, he says, they spoke about ending the war in Gaza.

Trump says they are formally releasing the 21-principle peace plan, “which people have really liked I must say”.

There has been input to the plan from many nations, Trump says.

Trump thanks the "leaders of the Arab and Muslim nations for their support" in developing the proposal along with many allies in Europe.

Trump begins by saying the peace deal is "beyond very close".

He says he is working closely with Benjamin Netanyahu to get "peace in the Middle East".

"This is potentially one of the greatest days ever in civilisation," he adds.

After a long wait, the news conference in the State Dining Room is about to begin. Trump and Netanyahu are expected to give individual remarks and then take questions from reporters.

We'll bring you the top lines and our correspondents will break down their remarks as we hear it - you can also watch live at the top of this page.

In a document released by the White House, President Trump has shared his 'Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict'.

The plan outlines 20 main points and begins with Gaza becoming a 'deradicalized terror-free zone' that does not pose a threat to its neighbours.

We'll bring you more details.