Donald Trump Unveils Ambitious Peace Plan for Gaza and the Middle East:

In a significant announcement from the White House, former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed a 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza, securing the release of Israeli hostages, and paving the way for long-term peace in the Middle East. Standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump declared that the two leaders are “very, very close” to achieving what he called “eternal peace” in the region. A “Big Day for Civilization” Calling it “a big, beautiful day,” Trump expressed optimism that the proposal could end decades of conflict, not only in Gaza but across the broader Middle East. He thanked Netanyahu, as well as leaders from countries like Turkiye, Indonesia, Pakistan, and across Europe, for their input and support in crafting the plan. “This is not just about Gaza. This is about achieving something much greater—peace in the entire Middle East,” Trump said. Key Features of Trump’s Peace Plan Trump’s proposal focuses heavily on the demilitarisation of Gaza and the complete dismantling of Hamas’s military infrastructure. According to the plan: Arab and Muslim countries will lead efforts to decommission Hamas and other armed groups. All terror tunnels, weapons, and production facilities in Gaza will be dismantled. A technocratic Palestinian transitional authority, unaffiliated with political factions, will govern Gaza with international oversight. This new authority will be chosen by a global coalition called the “Board of Peace,” chaired by Trump himself. An international stabilisation force (ISF), supported by the U.S., Arab states, Israel, and Egypt, will ensure Gaza’s long-term security. Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister, is reportedly among those interested in joining the oversight board. Diverging Views on Security and Governance While Trump spoke of international cooperation in managing Gaza’s post-war future, Netanyahu made clear that Israel would retain security control. “Israel will keep a security perimeter for the foreseeable future,” Netanyahu said, adding that Gaza’s civilian administration would exclude both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, favoring those who “genuinely seek peace with Israel.” Interestingly, Trump’s plan leaves open the possibility of the Palestinian Authority governing Gaza—if it enacts serious reforms. Hamas’s Response Still Pending Hamas has yet to officially respond to the proposal. Trump hinted at a weakened Hamas, saying their leadership has been “killed three times over,” and suggested this may be a new opportunity for peace. However, analysts are skeptical. Al Jazeera’s Marwan Bishara described the plan as “an ultimatum for Hamas to surrender.” The plan’s framing—focused on defeating terrorism and disarming Gaza—could be seen as one-sided and lacking guarantees for Palestinian political aspirations. Netanyahu Supports the Plan, With Conditions Netanyahu voiced strong support for Trump’s plan, calling it aligned with Israel’s core objectives: freeing hostages, eliminating Hamas, and ensuring Gaza never again threatens Israel. “If Hamas agrees, we begin with a small withdrawal and get all our hostages back within 72 hours,” Netanyahu said. “But if Hamas rejects or undermines this, we will finish the job ourselves.” Palestinian Skepticism Remains From the ground in Gaza, Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum reported that many Palestinians remain doubtful. While there is hope for a ceasefire and Israeli military withdrawal, the lack of clarity on long-term governance, statehood, and prisoner releases fuels concern. Conclusion: A Path to Peace, or More Conflict? While the Trump-Netanyahu plan marks a bold attempt to reshape the Gaza conflict, its success depends heavily on Hamas’s response, the credibility of international oversight, and real guarantees for Palestinian rights. For now, it remains uncertain whether this proposal will bring a peaceful breakthrough or further entrench divisions in the region.

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