Australia has welcomed US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza as one that “represents hope”, but questioned if Hamas will accept the ultimatum delivered to get the terror outfit to agree to the deal.

The 20-point plan revealed at a Washington meeting with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu does not say anything concrete about Palestinian statehood. Crucially, however, it does not rule out a two-state solution that Australia and many other nations emphasise as a requirement for peace.

“I do think the plan represents hope,” Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said on ABC Radio Melbourne on Tuesday morning, about three weeks ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s first formal talks with Trump.

“Our view ultimately is that the only way that there will be an enduring

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