Trump’s Gaza peace plan faces backlash but maybe Hamas best bet

Trump’s Gaza peace plan faces backlash but maybe Hamas best bet

Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the Gaza war has emerged as one of the most detailed blueprints yet from the former U.S. president, earning cautious approval from Israel, key Arab states, the UK, and France. But the proposal’s future remains uncertain, with Hamas excluded from the talks and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu already undermining it by rejecting any Palestinian statehood.

The plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, and amnesty for Hamas members who disarm. It pledges that Israel will not annex Gaza and recognises the UN and Red Crescent as key humanitarian coordinators. Civilians will not be forced to leave, and those who fled will be allowed to return.

However, major ambiguities persist. The framework does not specify when Israeli troops will withdraw, raising fears of continued occupation. Hamas will likely demand guarantees of non-resumption of hostilities once hostages are freed, and a firm timeline for Israel’s military exit.

Another flashpoint is governance. Trump’s plan proposes a “Board of Peace,” chaired by himself and including figures like former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair—an appointment likely to inflame Palestinian distrust. The actual administration of Gaza would fall to an unelected Palestinian technocratic committee, whose members are yet to be named.

Even within Israel, the plan is politically toxic. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich branded it a “diplomatic failure,” warning it would “end in tears.” Yet for Hamas, the offer might be the last chance to secure concessions before Israel “finishes the job,” as Trump starkly warned.

Key Takeaways:

• Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan aims to end the war and free hostages.

• Israel and Arab states support it, but Hamas was excluded.

• Critics say it lacks clarity on withdrawal and governance.

Source: The Conversation