United States President Donald Trump has indicated a promising breakthrough in the decades-old Gaza war, hinting that a 'permanent and long lasting' peace agreement is in the final stages of completion. This was made before a sensitive meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned at the White House, after intense negotiations purportedly lasting for days. Trump referred to it as "a real chance for greatness in the Middle East," highlighting a 21-point peace plan for a ceasefire and establishment of enduring peace in the region.
The American peace framework proposed includes the immediate release of all hostages detained by Hamas within 48 hours of the signing and the end of Israeli military action in Gaza with phased troop withdrawal. It demands that Gaza be made a de-radicalised, terror-free area dedicated to redevelopment for its inhabitants. The main aspects are the disarmament of Hamas, release of prisoners, and large-scale international assistance to rebuild Gaza. Trump expressed confidence that local players, Arab states among them, are fully committed to the process and that Hamas knows the talks are ongoing, though Hamas has publicly said it hasn't received the proposal formally yet.
Trump's optimism is displayed by the following post which focuses on 'ending a decades-old cycle of suffering and war and releasing hostages' as well as establishing a path to sustainable peace, which other efforts have been unable to do.
Prime Minister Netanyahu's meeting with President Trump on Monday is charged with high politics. While Trump is presenting self-assurance about advancing the plan, Netanyahu sounds more cautious. While Israel is officially in favour of ending the war and releasing the hostages, the prime minister is under domestic political pressure from coalition members on the far-right wing to destroy Hamas in its entirety, annex Gaza districts, and establish sovereignty over additional West Bank lands. These groups oppose any truce that does not meet their extreme expectations, making it difficult for Netanyahu to wholeheartedly approve the American-supported deal.
If this works, the agreement may end one of the deadliest recent wars in Gaza, giving comfort to thousands of war victims, and redefine Middle Eastern geopolitics towards a more balanced balance. But danger stays at large: the failure to resolve all parties' concerns, notably Hamas's ability to agree, may destroy negotiations. The unstable coalition in Israel and Hamas internal rifts present challenges. In addition, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to be grave, in need of a huge reconstruction budget and assurances for permanent peace.
Overall, President Trump's initiative toward a Gaza peace agreement is promising but encounters intimidating political and practical hurdles. The Netanyahu-Trump summit will be a critical to reach to the region's conflict resolution, weighing strategic diplomacy against strongly asserted political pressures on both sides.
