Trump says ‘I think we have a deal’ on Gaza war as 21-point peace plan gains regional backing

President Donald Trump on Friday publicly voiced optimism that a deal to end the Israel-Hamas war is within reach, saying, “I think we have a deal.” He spoke to reporters as he departed the White House, and hours earlier had unveiled a 21-point initiative to end the Gaza conflict during meetings with Arab leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Trump told gathered reporters that the plan “will get the hostages back” and “will end the war,” adding that it would bring peace to the region. The remarks came as Trump reiterated the theme of the days surrounding the UN gathering that a comprehensive framework could yield progress on multiple fronts in the Middle East.

The White House and Trump’s aides have framed the proposal as a comprehensive strategy designed to secure the return of hostages, provide guarantees against further violence, and establish a basis for a broader peace process in the region. The plan, described by aides as the Trump 21-point plan for peace in the Middle East, was introduced during meetings with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan at a Concordia Annual Summit event in New York earlier this week. A White House official, speaking on background, said the president underscored his desire to bring fighting in Gaza to an expeditious close, and that the plan seeks to balance Israel’s security concerns with regional stability goals.

Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy for the Middle East, described the plan as both ambitious and actionable. Speaking at the Concordia summit, he said the plan was “very productive” in talks with officials from the eight nations and that it responds to Israeli concerns while addressing neighboring regional issues. Witkoff noted that the plan envisions a return of all hostages, living and deceased, and calls for no further attacks on Qatar, along with a new dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians aimed at peaceful coexistence and broader regional cooperation. He stressed that foreign partners broadly supported Trump’s approach, and that they hoped to work together with Witkoff to consider the plan as American efforts continue to engage with Israeli officials.

The summit proceedings included a coordinated acknowledgment by regional actors that a viable pathway to peace would require multi-lateral engagement and concessions from all sides. In New York, Witkoff said the meetings with the eight countries were “very productive,” and he cited a shared interest in reducing violence and stabilizing civilian life in Gaza and the surrounding area. The White House official quoted in Fox News Digital said the parties saw potential in a framework that could be built out through diplomatic channels, humanitarian assurances and security arrangements that would enable a rebalanced governance model for Gaza.

In a recorded UN General Assembly address, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas signaled support for the approach, even as he remained outside the United States and could not attend in person. Abbas said the PA is prepared to work with the United States, Saudi Arabia, France and the United Nations, among others, to implement the peace plan approved at a September conference. He indicated that the PA would be ready to assume security and governance responsibilities in Gaza, while insisting that Hamas disarm as part of any lasting arrangement. His remarks underscored a willingness to participate in a process that could redefine governance in Gaza and set a path toward regional cooperation.

If the plan proceeds, it would hinge on a package of measures intended to deliver immediate humanitarian relief and longer-term political arrangements. The hostages’ safety and return are central to the framework, but the plan also contemplates steps designed to prevent renewed escalations, reduce external threats, and foster a dialogue that could ease tensions between Israel and Palestinian leadership. In the description provided by Witkoff, the plan seeks to balance security assurances for Israel with a route to political and civil rights for Palestinians through a newly structured negotiation track and governance arrangements that could stretch beyond Gaza.

Trump’s latest remarks come as U.S. officials press for a rapid but carefully calibrated end to the fighting and as regional actors weigh the merits of the 21-point framework. While the president’s supporters characterize the plan as a breakthrough that could unlock hostage releases and halt armed confrontations, critics have cautioned that the specifics of any ceasefire, security guarantees, prisons, border controls, and governance for Gaza would require extensive negotiations and reciprocal confidence-building measures. The White House official emphasized that the plan is a slate of ideas to be tested at the negotiating table, not a signed agreement at this stage.

The conversations in New York featured broad participation from Middle East and Asian partners whose support could be pivotal in pressuring Hamas to disengage and in sustaining a ceasefire and reconstruction efforts in Gaza. The participants included representatives from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan, all of whom have supported various peace-building efforts in the region. The administration framed the gatherings as a shared effort to address humanitarian needs, stabilize civilian life, and create conditions for a durable peace.

As the week progressed, the White House and Trump’s allies urged patience while acknowledging that many details would require time to work through. Acknowledging the complexity of the Gaza situation, the administration stressed the necessity of coordinating with international partners and regional leaders to avoid a relapse into violence and to facilitate governance reforms that could lay the groundwork for durable coexistence. The remarks also reflected a broader signal from Washington that it is willing to support a multi-party effort to manage the Gaza crisis beyond unilateral actions.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.