Washington, D.C., January 14, 2026 – The United States Department of State has expressed strong approval for the Palestinian Presidency's backing of President Donald Trump's ambitious 20-Point Peace Plan, highlighting Washington's unwavering dedication to resolving the protracted conflict in the Gaza Strip and fostering broader stability across the Middle East. This development marks a pivotal moment in the implementation of the plan, which has already achieved a fragile ceasefire in the region after more than two years of devastating violence.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs on Wednesday, January 13, 2026, the State Department declared: "We welcome the Palestinian Presidency’s support for President Trump’s historic 20-Point Peace Plan. The U.S. remains committed to bringing an end to the war in Gaza and promote peace and stability in the Middle East." The announcement underscores the Trump administration's proactive diplomacy in the region since his return to the White House following the 2024 election.
Trump's Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, Steve Witkoff—a real estate executive and close ally of the president—announced the commencement of the plan's second phase during a press briefing at the White House on the same day. Witkoff outlined that this stage will prioritize demilitarization of key areas in Gaza, the establishment of a technocratic governance framework to oversee daily administration, and a comprehensive reconstruction program funded by international partners. "We're moving forward with purpose," Witkoff said. "The first phase brought home our hostages and released prisoners; now, we rebuild Gaza into a peaceful, prosperous entity free from terror."
The Palestinian response came swiftly from Hussein al-Sheikh, Vice President of the State of Palestine and a senior figure in the Palestinian Authority. In a public statement issued from Ramallah, al-Sheikh affirmed: "The presidency welcomes the efforts undertaken by Trump to complete the implementation of his peace plan and to carry out UN Security Council Resolution 2803, including the establishment of the Board of Peace and its executive bodies." This endorsement represents a rare alignment between Palestinian leadership and U.S. initiatives, amid longstanding tensions over issues like settlements, borders, and Jerusalem's status.
The backdrop to this diplomatic breakthrough is the harrowing toll of the Gaza conflict, which erupted in October 2023 following a surprise attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel. Over the ensuing two years, Israeli military operations in Gaza resulted in the deaths of more than 70,000 Palestinians, according to figures from the Gaza Health Ministry and verified by international organizations like the United Nations. The war displaced nearly the entire population of 2.3 million, destroyed vast swaths of infrastructure, and triggered a humanitarian crisis characterized by famine, disease outbreaks, and acute shortages of medical supplies and clean water.
A tenuous ceasefire has held for the past three months, brokered initially through backchannel talks involving Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. The first phase of Trump's 20-Point Plan, unveiled shortly after his inauguration in January 2025, focused on a hostage-prisoner exchange. Under this arrangement, Israel released over 1,500 Palestinian detainees—many held without charge—in return for the safe return of 132 Israeli hostages, including civilians and soldiers captured during the initial assault. The exchanges were conducted in batches, with Red Cross oversight, and have been hailed as a confidence-building measure that paved the way for further negotiations.
President Trump's plan, formally titled the "20-Point Roadmap to Lasting Peace in the Middle East," was first detailed in a high-profile speech at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025. It encompasses a broad spectrum of measures, including:
- Immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of foreign fighters.
- Hostage and prisoner swaps.
- Demilitarization of Gaza, with international monitors.
- Establishment of a technocratic Palestinian administration unaffiliated with Hamas or other militant groups.
- Massive reconstruction aid, potentially totaling $50 billion, sourced from Gulf states, the U.S., Europe, and private investors.
- Economic incentives for Israel-Palestine cooperation, such as joint industrial zones.
- Border security enhancements with advanced technology.
- Water and energy sharing agreements.
- Educational reforms to promote tolerance and deradicalization.
- Cultural exchange programs.
- Recognition of Palestinian statehood contingent on governance reforms.
- Israeli settlement freezes in disputed areas.
- Jerusalem as a shared capital with protected holy sites.
- Refugee rights negotiations.
- Regional security pacts involving Arab nations.
- U.S.-led oversight board (the Board of Peace).
- Sanctions relief for compliant parties.
- Humanitarian corridors for aid delivery.
- Long-term monitoring by UN forces.
- A timeline for full implementation within five years.
Critics, including some European allies and human rights groups, have questioned the plan's feasibility, arguing it favors Israeli security concerns while imposing stringent conditions on Palestinians. However, supporters point to the ceasefire's endurance as evidence of its practical impact.
UN Security Council Resolution 2803, passed in December 2025, endorses elements of the plan, calling for the creation of the Board of Peace—a multinational body comprising representatives from the U.S., Egypt, Jordan, the EU, and moderate Arab states—to execute demilitarization and governance transitions. The resolution also mandates investigations into war crimes committed by all parties, though enforcement remains contentious.
The Palestinian endorsement is not without caveats. Al-Sheikh's statement emphasized the need for full Israeli compliance, including troop withdrawals from Gaza and halting settlement expansions in the West Bank. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in a separate address, reiterated demands for sovereignty and an end to the occupation, signaling that while supportive of Trump's efforts, Ramallah seeks guarantees against unilateral actions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office responded cautiously, welcoming the U.S. initiative but stressing that any plan must ensure Israel's security. "We appreciate President Trump's bold leadership," a spokesperson said. "Demilitarization is non-negotiable, and reconstruction must prevent the rearmament of terror groups."
International reactions have been mixed. The European Union praised the momentum toward peace but urged inclusive talks involving all stakeholders. Russia and China, veto-wielding Security Council members, abstained from Resolution 2803, criticizing it as U.S.-dominated. Iran, a backer of Hamas, condemned the plan as a "capitulation" to Western interests.
Humanitarian organizations like Doctors Without Borders have called for urgent aid escalation, noting that despite the ceasefire, Gaza's health system remains collapsed, with over 100,000 injured requiring ongoing care. Reconstruction estimates from the World Bank suggest costs could exceed $100 billion, factoring in housing, schools, hospitals, and utilities.
As the second phase unfolds, Witkoff's team is set to convene in Cairo next week with Egyptian mediators to finalize demilitarization protocols. The U.S. has pledged $10 billion in initial aid, contingent on progress.
This evolving situation offers a glimmer of hope after years of bloodshed, but challenges abound. Sustaining the ceasefire, bridging trust deficits, and securing funding will test the resolve of all parties. President Trump's administration views this as a signature foreign policy achievement, potentially reshaping the Middle East landscape for generations.
