US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Washington was "very close" to securing peace in the Gaza war, after meeting with ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and releasing a 20-point peace plan.

 

"Things that have been going on for hundreds of years and thousands of years we're going to, at least we're at a minimum very, very close and I think we're beyond very close and I want to thank Bibi for really getting in there and doing a job," he told reporters, referring to Netanyahu by a nickname.

 

Trump said 'Israel' would have his “full backing” to destroy Hamas if the Palestinian group rejected a 20-point peace proposal put forward by Washington.

 

"Israel would have my full backing to finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas but I hope that we're going to have a deal for peace and if Hamas rejects the deal, which is always possible, they're the only one left. Everyone else has accepted it but I have a feeling that we're going to have a positive answer," Trump said.

 

Trump revealed that Washington's peace plan for Gaza would involve the drawing up of a timeline for ‘Israeli’ forces to withdraw from the strip in phases.

 

"Working with the new transitional authority in Gaza, all parties will agree on a timeline for Israeli forces to withdraw in phases," Trump told reporters at the White House, referring to a new body that would govern the Palestinian territory.