Trump-Gaza live: Tony Blair to serve on ‘Board of Peace’ as Netanyahu warns Hamas to accept US plan

French president Emmanuel Macron has said Hamas “has no choice” but to accept Trump’s peace plan.

“I expect Israel to engage resolutely on this basis. Hamas has no choice but to immediately release all hostages and follow this plan,” Macron posted on X.

“These elements must pave the way for in-depth discussions with all relevant partners to build a lasting peace in the region, based on the two-state solution,” he wrote.

“France stands ready to contribute. It will remain vigilant regarding the commitments of each party.”

Hamas are set to hold internal discussions as well as talks with other Palestinian factions before they respond to Donald Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire, the Associated Press is reporting.

An official for the Palestinian militant group added that it received the proposal from the two Mideast mediators — Egypt and Qatar — and “will begin studying it today” with other factions.

There was no indication when Hamas could give its response to the plan. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

The Islamic Jihad Movement has denounced US president Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza.

The militant group’s secretary-general, Ziyad Al-Nakhalah, told Al-Araby news that Trump’s plan was an American-Israeli agreement and only extended Israel’s position.

“Israel is trying to impose through the United States what it was unable to achieve through war,” he added.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that she welcomed US president Donald Trump’s peace proposal to end the nearly two-year-old war in Gaza.

“Welcome President @realDonaldTrump’s commitment to end the war in Gaza. Encourage all parties to now seize this opportunity. The EU stands ready to contribute,” she wrote on X.

“Hostilities should end with provision of immediate humanitarian relief to the population in Gaza and with all hostages released immediately,” she added.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz has welcomed plans set out by US president Donald Trump for peace in Gaza, saying they offered the best chance to end the war in the enclave.

“Germany is ready to make a concrete contribution to the implementation of the plan,” said a German government spokesperson.

Mr Merz had met with families of the German hostages held by Hamas earlier in the day,” the spokesperson added.

The White House has unveiled a 20-point peace plan aimed at bringing an immediate end to the war in Gaza, where more than 66,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since 7 October 2023 according to local health officials.

Under the proposal, if both Hamas and Israel agree, hostilities would cease at once. All hostages in Gaza – both dead and alive – would be returned within 72 hours, and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners would also be released.

The plan envisions a temporary technocratic Palestinian administration overseeing Gaza, excluding Hamas from any governance role, while ensuring that Israel does not annex the territory. The make-up of the board that would govern Gaza remains unclear but the plan names Tony Blair as one example of a member.

Maroosha Muzaffar has more details.

Donald Trump claimed he had solved peace for Middle East during a press conference with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Bel Trew reports.

Former UK prime minister Sir Tony Blair is set to be part of an interim authority in Gaza, according to Donald Trump’s peace plan.

The US President’s 20-point plan was revealed as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu threw his support behind it at a press conference on Monday.

Trump stated that they are “beyond very close” to a peace agreement and that this day is “potentially one of the great days ever in civilisation”.

The plan states that, if both sides agree, there will be an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces to “the agreed upon line”, and the release of all the hostages, followed by the release of Palestinian prisoners and a surge of aid into Gaza.

Gaza will then be temporarily governed by a transitional committee of qualified Palestinian and international experts, with oversight from a new international transitional body, referred to as the “Board of Peace”.

The “Board of Peace” will be chaired by Mr Trump, working alongside other international leaders, including Sir Tony.

This body will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until the Palestinian Authority has undergone sufficient reform that it can take over.

Hamas negotiators are said to be reviewing Donald Trump’s plan for peace in Gaza “in good faith” as Benjamin Netanyahu threatened the militants to accept the deal.

The U.S. President’s 20-point plan was unveiled on Monday, and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu threw his support behind it at a press conference at the White House.

Trump said that if Hamas rejects the deal, Netanyahu would have his “full backing to do what you would have to do”. Netanyahu hailed the plan as a “critical step” towards peace in Gaza and beyond.

He said: “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 – and I think beyond the Middle East, very important Muslim countries.

“I support your plan to end the war in Gaza, which achieves our war aims.”It will bring back to Israel all our hostages, dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities, end its political rule and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.”

He warned: “But if Hamas rejects your plan, Mr President, or if they supposedly accept it and then basically do everything to counter it, then Israel will finish the job by itself.”

Keir Starmer joined the leaders of several nations in welcoming Donald Trump’s plan to end Israel’s war on Gaza.

“We strongly support his efforts to end the fighting, release the hostages and ensure the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza. This is our top priority and should happen immediately,” Sir Keir said.

“We call on all sides to come together and to work with the US Administration to finalise this agreement and bring it into reality.

“Hamas should now agree to the plan and end the misery, by laying down their arms and releasing all remaining hostages.”