Trump secures Netanyahu's agreement to Gaza deal but Hamas support in question

The plan includes a ceasefire, hostage release and staged Israeli withdrawal

President Donald Trump, left, greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. Picture: Evan Vucci/AP

US president Donald Trump secured Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's backing on Monday for a US-sponsored peace proposal to end a nearly two-year-old war in Gaza, but questions loomed over whether Hamas would accept the plan.

Speaking at a joint White House press conference following a meeting with Netanyahu, Trump said they were "beyond very close" to an elusive peace deal for the Palestinian enclave. But he warned the Islamist group Hamas that Israel would have full US support to take whatever action it deemed necessary if the militants reject what he has offered.