Trump Announces Peace Plan for Gaza: A Complicated Road Ahead

In a press conference held on Monday afternoon at the White House, President Donald Trump declared it a historic day, calling it 'one of the greatest days of civilization.' The President touted a new plan for peace in Gaza that he claimed could extend to the entire Middle East after centuries of conflict. Expressing gratitude towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump characterized him as 'the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.' However, historians and analysts caution that numerous prior proclamations of achieving peace have often turned out to be more complex than initially presented. Trump announced that multiple countries, both Arab and European, were involved in developing the Gaza plan, but notably, Hamas was not included in the discussions. A Hamas leader stated in a recent TV interview that the organization was unaware of any prior communication regarding the plan and had not seen its details. Nonetheless, following initial skepticism, Hamas indicated a willingness to review the peace plan in good faith. The proposed plan reportedly includes an ultimatum for Hamas: the group must hand over the remaining 20 hostages and the bodies of deceased hostages to Israel within 72 hours of the plan's approval. Additionally, Hamas is expected to disarm and relinquish its role in the Gaza Strip's governance. Trump emphasized that should Hamas reject the proposal, Israel would have the full backing of the United States to 'finish the job' and eradicate the terrorist organization. In a show of tough diplomacy, Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to pursue military action against Hamas if they do not comply with the demands of the peace initiative. A notable feature of the peace plan is the establishment of an internationally composed Peace Council to oversee the Gaza Strip, which includes Palestinian technocrats. Speculation had arisen that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair might lead this council. However, Trump confirmed that he would personally oversee its operations, and Blair is expected to play a role in it as a member. The President has pledged that the Palestinian population will have opportunities to build a better Gaza. Earlier this year, Trump floated the idea of transforming Gaza into a 'Riviera of the Middle East,' but this concept faced backlash, especially as it involved relocating the Palestinian population elsewhere or compensating those willing to leave. Despite expectations, Trump's Monday announcement did not provide a definite timeline for Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. Notably, the plan omits concrete details regarding the future of a Palestinian state and lacks clarity on how the Palestinian Authority will play a role in Gaza governance. The Palestinian Authority, which currently oversees the West Bank, is expected to assume responsibilities in Gaza once it implements a reform program. However, Israel has resisted this notion, citing low support for the Authority among the Palestinian civilian population. Netanyahu’s agreement to cooperate with the peace plan was initially perceived positively, especially given his recent commitments made during a speech at the United Nations. Still, tensions remained palpable, particularly following Israeli military actions against Hamas representatives in Qatar, which drew sharp criticism from the U.S. government. During the press conference, Trump reportedly prompted Netanyahu to apologize to Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani during a phone call, a gesture that faced immediate backlash from some members of the Israeli administration. As the international community waits for Hamas's response to the ultimatum, analysts and stakes-holders are left questioning whether this newly unveiled peace plan can overcome the longstanding divisions and challenges it seeks to address. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2