The White House has unveiled a comprehensive peace plan for Gaza, presented by President Donald Trump in a joint briefing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The proposal, which has been met with a mix of cautious optimism and pointed criticism, is designed to bring an immediate end to the war, ensure the return of all hostages, and lay the groundwork for a new, revitalized Gaza. While it has garnered support from a number of Arab and Western nations, analysts say its many ambiguities leave critical questions unanswered, particularly regarding long-term governance and the prospects of a lasting peace.
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The 20-point plan, which the White House released in full, calls for an immediate and total cessation of hostilities. Within 72 hours of Israel’s public acceptance, all hostages, both alive and deceased, are to be released. In a reciprocal move, Israel would release 250 life-sentence prisoners and 1,700 Gazans detained after October 7, 2023, including all women and children. The proposal also includes a provision for the return of deceased Gazans in exchange for the remains of Israeli hostages.
One of the most contentious elements of the plan concerns the future of Hamas. The proposal states that Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence and decommission their weapons will be given amnesty, while those who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to other countries. The plan explicitly bans Hamas from having any role, direct or indirect, in the governance of the territory. It also mandates the destruction of all military and terror infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, and outlines a process of demilitarization overseen by independent monitors.
The plan envisions a temporary, transitional government for Gaza, which would be run by a “technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee.” This committee would be responsible for the day-to-day administration of public services. A new international body, the “Board of Peace,” would supervise and oversee this committee, and would be chaired by Trump himself, with other members including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. This board would also be responsible for handling the funding for Gaza’s redevelopment, a role that gives it immense power over the territory’s future.
The plan outlines an ambitious economic development initiative, a “Trump economic plan,” to rebuild Gaza and establish a special economic zone with preferential tariff rates.
International reactions to the plan have been varied. While Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has endorsed it, stating it would “finish the job” and ensure Israel’s security, Hamas has been more reserved, with its negotiating team reportedly reviewing the proposal in good faith. Hamas has always been of the belief that it cannot sign up for any deal that excludes Palestinian self-determination. And given that the plan pointedly does not have Palestinian inclusion, nor their buy-in prior to the grand announcement, it would seem this deal is DOA.
Some regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, and Pakistan, have welcomed the plan, seeing it as a sincere effort to end the war. This support, however, is not universal. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group has labeled the plan a “recipe to blow up the region,” asserting that it allows Israel to impose what it could not achieve through war. The plan also directly contrasts with a recent UN commission finding that Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, making Israeli involvement in the region’s security and governance contentious, to say the least.
Despite the seeming positives, many questions remain unanswered. How will the Palestinian technocratic committee be formed, and who will select its members? What will be the exact mandate of the proposed International Stabilization Force, and what nations will contribute troops?
The plan also leaves the timeline for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza vague, stating it will be based on “standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization.” The proposal suggests Israel will maintain a “security perimeter presence” until Gaza is deemed secure from any “resurgent terror threat,” a subjective measure that could allow a long-term presence.
The plan also makes Palestinian statehood conditional on the Palestinian Authority completing its reform program, with no clear benchmarks or timeline. While it recognizes statehood as an aspiration, it does not guarantee it. The lack of concrete details on these crucial issues has led many to question whether the plan is a genuine step towards peace or a political tool that leaves the future of Gaza shrouded in uncertainty, with large parts of the world turning a bling eye to Gaza as Israel perpetrates genocide in the region.
