LONDON

European leaders hailed the new plan announced Monday by US President Donald Trump for ending the Gaza war and laying the foundations for long-term peace.

The proposal envisions transforming Gaza into “a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors” while pledging redevelopment for the benefit of the enclave’s population.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the US initiative, saying on the US-based social media company X: “I welcome President Trump's commitment to ending the war in Gaza and securing the release of all hostages. I expect Israel to engage resolutely on this basis. Hamas has no choice but to immediately release all hostages and follow this plan.”

He added that the framework should “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 and on the principles endorsed by 142 UN member states, at the initiative of France and Saudi Arabia.”

France, Macron said, “stands ready to contribute” but will also remain “vigilant regarding the commitments of each party.”

Turning point

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also voiced strong support.

She described the plan as a potential breakthrough: “The proposal presented today by US President Donald Trump could represent a turning point in this process, allowing for a permanent cessation of hostilities, the immediate release of all hostages, and full and safe humanitarian access for the civilian population.”

Meloni said Italy welcomes the “ambitious plan for the stabilization, reconstruction, and development of the Gaza Strip, with the full involvement of regional partners.”

“In this context, Italy is ready to play its part, in close coordination with the United States, European partners, and the region, and thanks President Trump for his mediation efforts and his efforts to bring peace to the Middle East,” she said.

The Italian leader urged all sides to seize the moment: “Hamas, in particular, which started this war with the barbaric terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, now has the opportunity to end it by releasing the hostages, agreeing to have no role in the future of Gaza, and fully disarming.”

Meloni concluded that Italy would back Washington’s push for renewed dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians, insisting that “a just and lasting peace is possible in the Middle East, with a State of Israel and a Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security, and with Israel's full normalization with the Arab and Islamic nations.”