PM urges parties to ‘engage seriously’ with Trump’s Gaza peace plan

“Australia welcomes President Trump’s plan to bring peace to Gaza after almost two years of conflict and a devastating loss of civilian life,” the Prime Minister told reporters in Abu Dhabi.

“Australia has long called for a ceasefire.

“We’ve called for the hostages to be released and for Hamas to give up its arms.”

He added that his government “affirms the plan’s commitment to denying Hamas any role in the future governance of Gaza and calls on Hamas to agree to the plan, lay down its arms and release all remaining hostages”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called on Hamas to ‘agree to the plan’. Picture: Prime Minister’s Office / Handout / NewsWire

Mr Albanese last week recognised Palestine at the UN General Assembly. Leonardo Munoz / AFP

“We commend the focus … for Palestinian self-determination and statehood, and the Palestinian Authority’s support for the plan, along with so many other nations in the region and countries which have large Muslim populations, such as Indonesia and Pakistan,” Mr Albanese said.

“Australia urges all parties to engage seriously with the plan and to work to bring its vision into reality without delay.

“Together with our partners, Australia will continue to support efforts to end the war and work towards a just and sustainable two-state solution.”

The US President overnight (AEST) unveiled his plan to “immediately end” the near-two-year war in Gaza while hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

Under the proposal, Gazans would not be forcibly displaced – as Mr Trump previously suggested – and Israeli hostages still held by Hamas, both “alive and deceased”, would be released.

In return, Israel would “release 250 life sentence prisoners plus 1700 Gazans who were detained after October 7th 2023”.

Crucially, Israel would halt its military action in Gaza and begin withdrawing, while Hamas fighters who “commit to peaceful coexistence” and lay down their arms would be “given amnesty”.

Mr Trump would also head a “Board of Peace” to supervise a “transitional” Palestinian administration.

Mr Netanyahu agreed to the plan but Hamas, which must release remaining hostages “within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting”, has not yet committed.

Sussan Ley has also backed Mr Trump’s plan, saying “there is hope today”.

“We all want to see the war end and we always knew that the only peace that could be brokered would be brokered by the US,” the Opposition Leader told Seven’s Sunrise.

“We want to see the terrorist group Hamas dismantled, aid and humanitarian relief flow into Gaza and something set up for an enduring peace.

“I don’t think the Prime Minister had any insight into this but I do hope, along with all Australians, that we can see the end to the war and the hostages released which is just so important.”

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) also took aim at Mr Albanese, accusing him of engaging “in gesture politics and theatrics at the UN” by recognising Palestinian statehood.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan. Picture: Prime Minister of Israel’s Office / Handout / NewsWire

“That (the plan) has been accepted by Israel and endorsed by the Arab and Islamic world shows the peerless power and global influence of the United States,” ECAJ chief executive Alex Ryvchin said in a statement.

“Our government has chosen to involve itself in this conflict and it must now back this plan and apply whatever pressure it can on Hamas to accept.

“Unilateral recognition of Palestine won’t end the war or save a single life, but this plan will.”

Indeed, Mr Trump’s plan has been well received internationally, with the foreign ministers of Muslim-majority countries in the region welcoming it.

Among them was Qatar, which Israel bombed earlier this month while targeting Hamas members negotiating a ceasefire.

The Palestinian Authority has also welcomed it, calling Mr Trump’s efforts “sincere and determined”.