Trump's Gaza Peace Plan Awaits Hamas' Response
US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan is currently under review by Hamas, with the militant group given a three to four-day deadline to respond. The proposal, which has been met with mixed reactions globally, calls for an immediate ceasefire, a hostage-for-prisoner exchange, a phased Israeli withdrawal, and a transitional international administration. Despite the plan's ambitious scope, it has been criticized for ignoring the interests of the Palestinians and potentially leading to further instability.
The Gaza Peace Plan
President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled the ambitious 20-point plan on Monday, aiming to end the nearly two-year-long war in Gaza. The proposal, described in some quarters as a call for Palestinian surrender,
calls for an immediate halt to fighting, the release of hostages held by Hamas, a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the disarmament of Hamas. It also envisions the establishment of a transitional government led by an international body, and the exclusion of Hamas from governance.
International Reactions
The plan has been met with cautious optimism from Arab, Islamic, and European leaders, who have welcomed it as a possible new chapter for the Middle East. However, there was also skepticism from some quarters, with Palestinians dismissing the plan as unrealistic.
Despite the international community's call for a peaceful resolution, Israel has warned that it will continue its operations in Gaza if Hamas rejects the proposal. Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon stated, If they reject the plan, Israel will finish the job, either the easy way or the hard way.
Hamas' Response
A senior Hamas figure is reported to have told the BBC that the group is likely to reject Trump's Gaza peace plan, arguing that it serves Israel's interests.
Despite this, Hamas has stated that it is studying the proposal responsibly.
The Future of the Peace Plan
While the plan has been hailed as a potential crowning achievement
for Prime Minister Netanyahu, its acceptance could also lead to the end of his tenure as Israel's leader. Despite this, Netanyahu strongly endorsed the proposal, stating that Israeli forces would not be leaving Gaza, contrary to the plan's provisions for a phased withdrawal.
As the deadline for Hamas' response draws near, the world watches closely, anticipating the next developments in this prolonged conflict. Whether the plan will bring about the desired peace or further exacerbate the situation remains a matter of heated debate.