US President Donald Trump unveiled an ambitious Gaza peace plan on Monday that received the apparent backing of Benjamin Netanyahu, although the Israeli prime minister warned that he is prepared to “finish the job” if the initiative fails and the plan is rejected by Hamas, which has yet to answer whether it accepts a proposal that amounts to its unconditional surrender and its expulsion from the Gaza Strip.
“If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr President, or if they supposedly accept it and then then basically do everything to counter it, then Israel will finish the job by itself,” Netanyahu said during a joint press conference with Trump at the White House, where he stressed that Israeli forces will continue to control security in Gaza “for the foreseeable future”. The Israeli leader also questioned whether the Palestinian Authority – which controls the West Bank – will play a role in the administration of Gaza, saying the Strip “will have a peaceful, civilian administration that is run neither by Hamas nor by the Palestinian Authority“.
The plan presented by Trump and shared with key Arab leaders is composed of 20 points and includes an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages held by Hamas, the disarmament of the Islamist group and a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, as well as the deployment of an international force and the creation of a transitional authority headed by Trump himself. It also stipulates that Hamas fighters must surrender their weapons and be barred from any office in Gaza, although an amnesty is envisaged for those who agree to lay down their arms. Unlike previous plans proposed by Trump, Palestinians would not be forced to leave Gaza.
Here is a summary of the 20 points in Trump’s peace plan accepted by Netanyahu:
- Gaza must be transformed into a territory free of terrorism and radicalism, which does not pose a threat to its neighbours.
- The reconstruction of the Strip will be promoted for the direct benefit of its population.
- If both sides accept the plan, hostilities will cease immediately and the Israeli army will withdraw to agreed positions, freezing the battle lines.
- Within 72 hours of Israel’s acceptance, all hostages – dead or alive – must be returned.
- Following the release of hostages, Israel will release 250 life prisoners and more than 1,700 detainees from 7 October 2023, including women and children. There will be an exchange of remains on a 1:15 ratio.
- Hamas members who surrender their weapons and accept peaceful coexistence will receive amnesty; those wishing to leave Gaza will be able to do so with guarantees of safe passage.
- Humanitarian and reconstruction aid will enter Gaza immediately, including rehabilitation of infrastructure, hospitals and basic services.
- The distribution of such aid will be overseen by the UN, the Red Crescent and other neutral international agencies.
- Gaza will be administered on an interim basis by a Palestinian technocratic committee, under the supervision of the new ‘Peace Board’, chaired by Donald Trump along with other international leaders, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
- An international economic plan will be put in place to attract investment, generate jobs and modernise the Strip.
- A special economic zone will be created with tariff benefits and preferential terms of access.
- No one will be forced to leave Gaza; those who wish to do so will be free to leave and return, with new opportunities encouraged to stay.
- Hamas and other factions will be excluded from the government. Gaza will be demilitarised, destroying tunnels and weapons factories under international verification.
- Regional countries will ensure Hamas compliance and ensure that Gaza does not pose a threat.
- An International Stabilisation Force (ISF), supported by the US, Arab partners, Jordan and Egypt, will be deployed to train Palestinian police forces and help control borders.
- Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza. The withdrawal of its troops will be phased and coordinated with the ISF, maintaining a temporary security perimeter.
- If Hamas rejects or delays the plan, the envisaged measures will be implemented in areas under ISF control.
- A process of inter-religious dialogue will be promoted to foster tolerance and new narratives of peace.
- With the reconstruction and reform of the Palestinian Authority, conditions could be created to move towards a Palestinian state.
- The US will encourage political dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians with the goal of peaceful and prosperous coexistence.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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