Pakistan welcomes Trump’s Gaza peace plan, lauds his leadership efforts

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed US President Donald Trump's plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza on Monday, while lauding his leadership efforts.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Pakistani PM welcomed Trump’s plan to end the Gaza war, stating that lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis was vital for stability in the region. “I welcome President Trump’s plan to ensure an end to the war in Gaza. I am also convinced that durable peace between the Palestinian people and Israel would be essential in bringing political stability and economic growth to the region.”

Sharif said that it was his “firm belief that President Trump is fully prepared to assist in whatever way necessary to make this extremely important and urgent understanding to become a reality.”

He said the two-state proposal was necessary for lasting peace: “I also strongly believe that the implementation of the two-state proposal is essential to ensure lasting peace in the region.”

Trump-Netanyahu meeting 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with Donald Trump in Washington on Monday amid increasing international pressure and isolation.

While Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive until Hamas is destroyed, Trump’s plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages within 48 hours, gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and disarmament of Hamas.

The plan includes establishment of an international security force and a Palestinian technocratic committee initially governing Gaza civilian affairs, with eventual transfer to a reformed Palestinian Authority—though Netanyahu rejects the Palestinian Authority’s role in Gaza postwar.

Despite Netanyahu’s praise of Trump’s support, Israel and some Arab states expressed reservations, seeking revisions. Concerns include the involvement of Palestinian security forces, the fate of Hamas officials, and guarantees that Israel will uphold any agreements. Hamas has rejected disarmament and conditions tied to ending the war.

The White House has urged both Israel and Hamas to finalize a ceasefire and hostage release deal, with Trump declaring on social media that “We have a real chance for GREATNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST... WE WILL GET IT DONE!!!”

AFP reported Monday that Trump said he was "very confident" of a Gaza deal, telling reporters, "I am, I'm very confident," when asked about peace prospects. When asked if all parties supported his plan, he repeated, "very confident."

Israel’s War on Gaza
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed over 66,000 Palestinians and displaced more than 90% of Gaza’s population, with devastating shortages of food, water, and medical supplies due to an ongoing siege.

The UN and numerous countries have called for immediate humanitarian access and ceasefire amid growing famine and civilian suffering.

The conflict’s toll and Israel’s response have eroded its international support, with 28 Western-aligned countries urging an end to the offensive, and ten countries recently recognizing Palestinian statehood. Several Arab states and international experts accuse Israel of committing genocide, a charge Israel vehemently denies and the issue is under review by the UN’s highest court.


UN report finds Israel responsible for Gaza genocide
On September 16, 2025, the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry (COI) issued its third report on the Israeli war on Gaza, recognizing for the first time that genocide has been committed and continues against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The report demanded Israel immediately implement a “complete and permanent” ceasefire and ensure unfettered humanitarian access.

The COI’s investigation, spanning October 2023 to July 2025, found Israel responsible for four of the five acts constituting genocide under the 1948 Genocide Convention, including killing members of the group, causing serious bodily and mental harm, deliberately inflicting destructive living conditions, and imposing measures to prevent births within the group.

Specific evidence cited included attacks on civilians and healthcare facilities, torture and sexual violence against Palestinian detainees, destruction of maternity and fertility clinics, attacks on agricultural land, cultural sites, and widespread displacement of Gaza’s population.

The report concluded these acts were committed with clear genocidal intent, based on statements and actions by Israeli authorities.

With input by Associated Press (AP) and Agence France-Presse (AFP).