Donald Trump yesterday presented Arab and Muslim leaders in New York with his “21-point plan” for ending the war in Gaza and governing the region after Hamas.

According to Axios sources, Trump stressed that the war must end immediately, as “every day it continues, Israel becomes more isolated internationally.” “We are optimistic, and I would say confident, that in the coming days we will see some progress,” said the US president’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Whitcoff.

The same sources said the US proposals were variations on earlier ideas that have been discussed over the past six months, with updates from plans drawn up by Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The key principles of the “21-point plan”

The central principles of Trump’s proposal include:

– The release of all remaining hostages.

– A permanent ceasefire.

– Israel’s gradual withdrawal from the entire Gaza Strip.

– A post-war plan with a governance mechanism in Gaza without Hamas.

– Creation of a security force including Palestinians, but also soldiers from Arab and Muslim countries.

– Funding from Arab and Muslim countries for the new administration in Gaza and the reconstruction of the area.

– Some form of involvement of the Palestinian Authority.

Trump asked the leaders and senior officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan, who attended the meeting,for their support for these principles and their commitment to join the post-war project.

The terms of the Arab leaders
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According to two sources, Arab leaders have set specific conditions to support the plan:

– Israel not to annex parts of the West Bank or Gaza.

– Israel not to occupy territory in Gaza.

– Israel not to build settlements in Gaza.

– Stop undermining the regime in the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

– Immediately increase humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Trump, according to the same sources, assured Arab and Muslim leaders that he would not allow Israel to annex parts of the West Bank, which Politico had earlier revealed. At the end of the meeting, they expressed support for the plan and pledged to participate in its implementation.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, the leaders of seven Arab and Muslim countries attending the meeting expressed their support for Trump’s plan. “We reaffirm our commitment to work with President Trump and underline the crucial role of his leadership in ending the war and achieving a just and lasting peace,” they said.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a separate statement expressing his appreciation for Trump’s initiative.

“I appreciate President Trump’s efforts to stop the war in Gaza and his pursuit of peace in the Middle East as a whole. I view the proposals he has presented as a foundation for peace building,” he said.

Arab officials said the meeting was “very good” and that Trump is “absolutely committed” to ending the war.

Today, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Whitcoff met with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt and Jordan to formulate the principles of the plan into a more detailed and workable plan.

Israeli officials said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is aware of the basic principles of the US plan and that his trusted associate, Ron Dermer, has had discussions with Kushner and Blair on the issue.

Trump reportedly told Arab leaders that the next step is to present the plan to the Israeli prime minister on Monday at the White House to secure his support.