The White House has shared President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The proposal aims to bring peace and rebuild Gaza, but it raises worries about Gaza’s independence, who will answer for decisions, and if foreign rule can truly work over time.
The plan includes several key steps. It calls for an immediate ceasefire if both sides stop fighting if they accept the proposal. Following this, Israel would get back all its hostages, while Palestinians would see the release of a large number of their prisoners, including long-term and recent detainees. Hamas must hand over all weapons and dismantle its military setup, with outside monitors confirming the process. Gaza would be run for a while by a group of Palestinian experts, supervised by international officials, often referred to as a “Board of Peace.”
The plan also promises rebuilding Gaza, repairing basic services such as housing, power, and water, and offering large-scale humanitarian assistance. Israel would gradually withdraw its troops once the situation stabilizes, as well as Hamas members who disarm might get safe passage out of Gaza or amnesty. It further states that Palestinians will not be forced out of Gaza, and Israel will not take over the territory. In the end, Gaza should return to the Palestinian Authority.
Against this backdrop, the plan has drawn mixed reactions. Hamas says it accepts parts of the proposal but insists that Palestinians — not an international board — should govern Gaza. The proposed “Board of Peace,” reportedly to be led by Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, faces strong criticism, as Blair remains deeply unpopular in the Arab world for his role in the 2003 Iraq War. Israel, meanwhile, has slowed down its operations, signaling readiness to begin the plan’s first phase once Hamas formally responds. Inside Israel, however, right-wing figures such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have strongly rejected any proposal that would allow Hamas to remain politically relevant, calling it “unacceptable.”
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, one of the key mediators, welcomed Hamas’s partial acceptance and stated that Qatar, Egypt, and the United States are now working to advance discussions. Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that the plan’s first step should be completed by next week, though the remaining stages will take longer.
Ceasefires in Gaza usually fail not because of the idea itself, but because both sides don’t trust each other or the system meant to keep the peace. Analysts note that many agreements use vague terms, lack strong verification measures, and follow unclear timelines, leaving them fragile from the start. Unless there’s a neutral group to monitor both sides and real consequences for breaking the deal, it’s very likely to fall apart again.
The disarmament demand poses another challenge. The proposal demands that Hamas to give up its weapons, leave control of Gaza, and allow an international team to run things temporarily. However, Hamas is almost certain to reject this — it would mean losing its authority and legitimacy. Even if amnesty is offered, many Palestinians who suffered from the war would see it as letting wrongdoers go unpunished. Reports already show Hamas resisting the disarmament demand, saying it might only agree if it gets firm promises about statehood and security.
Placing Gaza under an international “Board of Peace” led by Trump and Blair raises questions about representation and legitimacy. Who will select the board members? Will they truly represent Gazans, or will this arrangement amount to foreign control under the guise of stability? Critics warn that it risks turning Gaza into a form of international trusteeship, weakening Palestinian sovereignty instead of restoring it.
The plan’s sequencing is also unclear. It fails to specify whether hostages should be released before disarmament or when exactly Israel will begin withdrawing its troops. This ambiguity could lead to disputes and delays, as each side interprets the steps differently.
Reconstruction represents another major issue. By mid-2025, nearly three out of five buildings in Gaza were destroyed or damaged. Rebuilding the area will be a massive challenge.Any peace plan must also make sure that aid reaches people, corruption is prevented, and all groups are included in decision-making. If not, reconstruction could just become another way to control Gaza.Past experience shows that international donors often face delays, political interference, and poor coordination after conflicts.
Trump’s Gaza plan could lead to peace and rebuilding if it’s based on fairness and trust. But it may repeat old mistakes if it is controlled by the foreign powers. What truly matters is whether Gaza’s future is decided by Palestinians themselves or by others.
References
- https://apnews.com/article/d5bb4097af1d46ba16ab20914d265ff7
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/05/israel-continues-gaza-bombardment-trump-plan-negotiators-arrive-in-cairo
- https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/netanyahu-faces-far-right-backlash-trump-presses-end-gaza-war-2025-10-05
- https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/german-foreign-minister-says-first-phase-trumps-gaza-plan-achievable-by-next-2025-10-06
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