U.S. President Donald Trump presented a 21-point proposal to end the war in Gaza during a meeting with leaders from Arab and Gulf countries. According to Axios, reactions in the room were broadly positive, with participants voicing support and pledging to engage in a post-war plan. An Arab official described the mood as “very optimistic,” saying it was the first time a “serious plan” was on the table and that Trump wants to “close this chapter” so the region can move forward. From New York, Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said the outline addresses Israel’s concerns as well as those of its neighbours and expressed confidence that concrete progress could be announced in the coming days.
The core principles
People briefed on the discussion said the plan calls for the release of all remaining hostages, a permanent ceasefire, and a phased Israeli withdrawal from the entire Gaza Strip. It envisages a post-war governance mechanism in Gaza without Hamas, a security force composed of Palestinians alongside troops from Arab and Muslim states, and Arab-Muslim funding both for the new administration and for reconstruction. Some role for the Palestinian Authority is also contemplated. Trump urged Arab and Muslim leaders to endorse these principles and commit to participating in the day-after arrangements for Gaza.
Conditions from Arab leaders
Two sources said Arab leaders set out clear conditions for their support: Israel would not annex any part of the West Bank or Gaza, would not occupy sections of the Gaza Strip, and would not build settlements there. They also pressed for an immediate surge in humanitarian aid to Gaza and for Israel to stop undermining the status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Next steps and White House calculus
Participants said Trump’s next move is to discuss the outline with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House to secure his backing. Israeli officials indicated Netanyahu is generally aware of the U.S. principles; his close adviser Ron Dermer has recently discussed them with Jared Kushner and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, who, along with Kushner, helped shape elements of the proposal, Axios reported. On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff met the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt and Jordan to translate the principles into a more detailed, workable plan.
The politics around it
Trump reportedly told Arab leaders the war must end urgently, and according to Politico, was categorical that Washington would not allow Israel to annex the occupied West Bank or any part of it. Yet Israel’s government has repeatedly vowed to block the creation of a Palestinian state and to expand control over the occupied territories. Arab and Gulf capitals have warned Washington that annexation would jeopardise the Abraham Accords; the UAE has publicly said such a move would cross a red line.
Who was in the room
Leaders and senior officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Türkiye, Indonesia and Pakistan attended. In a joint statement on Wednesday (24/9), seven Arab and Muslim leaders who took part voiced support for Trump’s plan, reaffirming their commitment to work with him and stressing the importance of U.S. leadership to end the war and open a path to a just, lasting peace. Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a separate statement backing the initiative and calling it a “significant foundation” for the next phase.
Axios, Politico and Al Arabiya sourced reporting