Press Releases
8 October 2025
Trump’s 20-point plan, presented as the way to achieve a ceasefire, prisoner exchange and transitional governance structure in the Gaza Strip, is just another tool to advance Israeli colonial domination. It is framed around two phases: first, the release of prisoners alongside Israeli forces’ withdrawal to an agreed-upon line; second, the demilitarization of Gaza at a later stage. However, these declared objectives mask the plan’s underlying aim of consolidating the Israeli regime’s colonial control over the Strip and beyond. The supposed first phase functions as a political move to secure leverage and justify continued military presence. Meanwhile, the “demilitarization” extends the control by internationalising the "management" of Gaza, stripping Palestinians of their agency and violating their right to self-determination.
Both Trump and Netanyahu threatened to break the deal if Hamas fails to fulfill the conditions imposed upon it at the pace they determine. In a joint statement by Trump and Netanyahu announcing the plan, Trump said, “Israel will have my full backing to finish the job.” This was later repeated by Netanyahu declaring that the Israeli forces will complete the “task” by force: “This will happen either via a diplomatic route according to the Trump Plan – or via a military route by us.” Trump's joint statement with Netanyahu further exposes that the underlying agenda is to reassert control over the Gaza Strip and expand the Israeli colonial project through territorial rule and the exploitation of Gaza’s land and resources, using the plan as a deliberate mechanism to maintain Israeli domination.
On October 4, Netanyahu said “I will be able to inform you about the return of all our hostages, both living and deceased, in one phase, while the IDF remains deep within the Strip and in the controlling areas within it,” conditions that directly contradict the supposed withdrawal line outlined in the plan. He further emphasized that Israeli forces would oversee the demilitarization process, and control future security arrangements, positioning himself as the authority to monitor, judge and facilitate the enforcement of the 20-point plan. Netanyahu has also instructed his team to travel to Egypt to negotiate only the first stage, a move that allows him to retain control over the remaining phases. By focusing on the prisoners’ release, he presents the Israeli regime as "cooperative" while leaving all subsequent steps, including a ceasefire, Israeli forces’ withdrawal, Gaza’s reconstruction and the delivery of humanitarian aid without commitment or clarity. This additionally exposes the plan as entirely built to serve the colonial aspirations of both the US and Israeli regime.
In the end, Netanyahu declared the Israeli regime’s intent for colonial expansion beyond Gaza by “changing the face of the Middle East” and continuing to “act to ensure the eternity of Israel.” This statement also shows that Trump’s supposed guarantees of protection for Arab states are not set in stone, and are used to pressure Hamas into compliance. These declarations make clear that the Israeli regime is undermining the plan before it even begins, while the US stands by its side.
Trump’s and Netanyahu’s statements have essentially altered the framework, which already lacked legality, international legitimacy, neutrality, accountability and any guarantee of ending the genocide, let alone a permanent ceasefire.
By accepting and promoting Trump’s plan, states evade their responsibility to impose political, economic and military sanctions and entrench their complicity in Israeli genocide and international crimes. States are obligated - with or without the deal - to act collectively, via the “Uniting for Peace” resolution, and individually to stop the genocide and ensure accountability.
And as long as states refuse to fulfill their obligations, the global solidarity movement must not only continue but also escalate its direct actions to disrupt the status quo until Palestinian liberation and return.