New Delhi: US President Donald Trump’s peace plan offers a path to “negotiations” for full Palestinian statehood, Israel’s Ambassador to India Reuven Azar said Tuesday. The Israeli envoy added that Tel Aviv welcomes any plan by India for the reconstruction of Palestine, highlighting New Delhi’s role as the “new builder of the world”.
“The (Trump peace) plan has international backing. It has the backing of the Arab countries, of Muslim countries and also the support of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi…The fact that this has international support, gives us hope for peace,” Azar told a press briefing here.
The 20-point plan announced by Trump, if accepted by Hamas and implemented fully, would give Tel Aviv the confidence required to open “negotiations” for the eventual full recognition of Palestine, added the Israeli envoy. Azar was clear that Israel does not want to have a physical presence in Gaza.
“In order for the Palestinian Authority to be revitalised we need deep reforms. The need to stop their policy of pay for slay. They need education reforms. If the Palestinian Authority does do these reforms, we have a future where we can negotiate for permanent status,” said Azar.
The thrust of the plan is focused on the “deradicalisation” of Gaza, and the overall reformation of the Palestinian Authority, with a focus on education reforms, according to Azar. All of this was also in the earlier Trump plan announced in 2020.
“If the new government in Gaza does not directly or indirectly involve Hamas, then we know we are on the right path,” said Azar. If the peace plan is accepted by Hamas, it would give Israel the opportunity to expand the Abraham Accords, the peace agreement spearheaded by Trump half a decade ago, allowing for the normalisation of ties between Tel Aviv and other countries in the world.
When questioned about potential ties with Pakistan, Azar was clear that it is important for countries from the Muslim world to join the plan.
“I think it’s very important that Arab and Muslim states support the plan. The sense we had before was that the countries were asking Israel to unconditionally withdraw from Gaza and that included the danger of Hamas remaining in power,” explained the Israeli envoy.
Announced Monday, Trump’s peace plan focuses on the creation of a new international ‘Board of Peace’, headed by the American President with other leaders, including former British prime minister Tony Blair, as members. Gaza will be governed under a temporary transitional government consisting of a “technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee”.
The plan also introduces a “phased withdrawal” by the Israeli Defence Forces, based on the release of hostages by Hamas and further reform of the governance of the Gaza Strip. Eventually, if all points are implemented, Israel would withdraw from the Strip, while maintaining a security buffer zone.
Thank you @PMOIndia for your support https://t.co/Nv6lMSSxn2
— 🇮🇱 Reuven Azar (@ReuvenAzar) September 30, 2025
The plan envisages the return of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip under the aegis of the United Nations, as well as release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The US will also work with other Arab states to develop a temporary International Stabilisation Force (ISF) to be deployed in Gaza.
“It’s not a surety that Hamas will even accept it. There are two ways out of this war. One by accepting this plan or two by the continuation of the war,” said Azar.
The plan has been welcomed by a number of countries, including Qatar, Pakistan, Indonesia, Jordan, the UAE, Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also issued a statement in favour of the plan.
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‘India welcomed for reconstruction’
The Israeli envoy was clear that New Delhi, if it seeks to play a role in the reconstruction of Palestine, is welcome to. “Only two or three weeks ago, we had a delegation from our finance ministry that approached the Indian government to come and play a role in building infrastructure in Israel. They could easily also build infrastructure for the Palestinians as well.”
Azar added, “I think that India has been playing a conducive role in supporting peace in our region. India has a lot to play when it comes to economic activity. It has a stake in West Asia…India could build projects. India is the new builder of the world…We want you to build in our region as well (sic).”
Azar emphasised that a sound security foundation in West Asia would allow for the flow of an economic angle to development as well, including the potential removal of the blockade of Gaza, which has been in place since Hamas took control of the Strip in 2007.
“We see a future where Gaza is connected to the world. The sky is the limit…However, if the agreement goes south, Israel and the rest of the world will have the right to ensure that the situation gets back on track,” said the Israeli envoy, when questioned on the future of the economic blockade on the Strip.
The peace plan also focuses on the United Nations as the main deliverer of aid in the Strip along with the Red Crescent. The United Nations Refugee Relief Works Agency (UNRWA), which has handled aid works in Palestine for decades, has come under criticism from Tel Aviv for its links to Hamas, a characterisation which the UN disputes.
Azar hoped that the UN system “will clean itself” and reformed to prevent Hamas operatives from being a part of it.
“We have to see how international support translates itself into action on the ground. We have to develop a new model. We have seen models of stabilisation led by the UN. UNIFIL in Lebanon. For 47 years, the UN has been present in the country at the cost of half a billion a year,” said Azar.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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