US President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Asim Munir, have fully endorsed the proposed Gaza peace plan.
“PM Shehbaz and the Field Marshal have been with us from the start — incredible, really,” Trump said during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “They just issued a statement fully supporting the pact. They back it 100%.”
The remarks came shortly after Prime Minister Shehbaz welcomed Trump’s proposal to end the war in Gaza, stressing that lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinian people is crucial for regional stability and economic progress.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Shehbaz said he was convinced that “durable peace between the Palestinian people and Israel would be essential in bringing political stability and economic growth to the region.” He also expressed confidence in President Trump’s willingness to do “whatever is necessary” to turn the peace initiative into reality.
Shehbaz praised Trump’s leadership and highlighted the contribution of U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, saying he “lauds President Trump’s leadership and the vital role played by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in bringing an end to this war.”
The Pakistani prime minister reiterated his support for a two-state solution, stating: “The implementation of the two-state proposal is essential to ensure lasting peace in the region.”
Earlier, on Sunday, PM Shehbaz told reporters that a recent meeting in New York between President Trump and leaders from eight Arab and Islamic nations was a positive step. He expressed hope that the discussions would lead to a ceasefire in Gaza.
President Trump met with Arab and Muslim leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last week. On Sunday, he posted on social media: “All are on board for something special — first time ever.”
Despite the momentum, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu struck a defiant tone in his UN speech on Friday, vowing to “finish the job” against Hamas and rejecting Palestinian statehood, even as several Western countries have moved toward recognising it.
On Monday, President Trump hosted Netanyahu at the White House to press him to accept the peace plan, which—according to reports by The Times of Israel and Axios—includes an immediate ceasefire, a phased Israeli withdrawal, and the release of hostages within 48 hours. In return, Israel would release over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including several serving life sentences.
Though traditionally a strong backer of Netanyahu, Trump has shown growing frustration with the Israeli leader ahead of his fourth visit to the White House since Trump’s return to office. Netanyahu’s coalition is heavily reliant on far-right ministers who strongly oppose a peace deal.
Major obstacles remain. Both Israeli and Arab negotiators are reportedly still at odds over key parts of the proposal, including the potential involvement of international forces and the future role of the Palestinian Authority in post-war Gaza.
According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry—whose figures are considered reliable by the United Nations—Israel’s military campaign has killed 66,055 Palestinians, most of them civilians.