Introduction to the Plan
On Monday, United States President Donald Trump formally presented a peace proposal aimed at resolving the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The plan includes the establishment of a transitional governing body called the “Peace Council,” which will be chaired by Trump himself.
Who is Donald Trump?
Donald John Trump is the 45th and current president of the United States, serving since January 2017. As a businessman and television personality before his political career, Trump’s background has significantly influenced his approach to domestic and foreign policy.
Key Components of the Plan
The 20-point proposal, released by the White House, outlines a transition period managed by a technocratic, apolitical group of Palestinian and international experts. This body will administer Gaza’s affairs without the presence of Hamas, under the supervision of a new international transition organization, the Peace Council.
The Peace Council
The Peace Council will be chaired by Trump and include other world leaders, such as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Its primary goal is to establish a framework and manage funding for Gaza’s development until the Palestinian Authority completes its reform program and regains control of Gaza.
Final Objective
The ultimate aim of the plan is to create a credible pathway for Palestinian self-determination and statehood, which the plan acknowledges as the aspiration of the Palestinian people. Israel is committed not to occupy or annex Gaza under this agreement.
Immediate Ceasefire and Prisoner Release
Trump’s plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, with all hostages—both alive and deceased—to be returned within 72 hours of Israel’s acceptance of the agreement. If both sides agree, the conflict will end immediately, with all military operations suspended, including aerial and artillery bombardments and frozen front lines until phased withdrawal conditions are met.
Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners sentenced to life and 1,700 Gazans detained following the October 7, 2023 attack. This includes all women and children detained in that context. In exchange, Israel will receive the remains of 15 Gazans for each Israeli hostage returned.
International Stabilization Force
The proposal also includes the formation of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to deploy immediately in Gaza, coordinating with the United States and Arab countries. The ISF will establish a new Palestinian police force that collaborates with Israel and Egypt to secure Gaza’s borders, preventing the entry of weapons and facilitating a swift and safe flow of goods for Gaza’s reconstruction.
Conditional Implementation
If Hamas rejects or fails to respond to the proposal, aid will only be delivered in areas free of terrorism, handed over by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to the ISF.
Amnesty and Economic Development
The plan offers amnesty to Hamas members who agree to peaceful coexistence and disarm. Those wishing to leave Gaza will be granted safe passage to their desired countries.
Furthermore, the proposal establishes a special economic zone in Gaza with preferential tariffs and an economic development plan to reconstruct and revitalize the region, guided by experts experienced in the modern “cities of hope” in the Middle East.
Interfaith Dialogue
The initiative promotes interreligious dialogue to foster tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Palestinians and Israelis, leveraging the benefits of peace to change their mindsets and narratives.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is proposing this plan? The plan was proposed by Donald Trump, the President of the United States.
- What is the Peace Council? The Peace Council is a transitional governing body composed of apolitical Palestinian and international experts, chaired by Trump, responsible for managing Gaza’s affairs until the Palestinian Authority completes its reform program.
- What is the International Stabilization Force (ISF)? The ISF is a force composed of international members that will deploy to Gaza to maintain security, prevent the entry of weapons, and facilitate reconstruction efforts.
- What are the conditions for aid delivery in Gaza? Aid will only be delivered in areas free of terrorism, handed over by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to the ISF, if Hamas rejects or fails to respond to the proposal.
- What economic measures are included in the plan? The plan establishes a special economic zone in Gaza with preferential tariffs and an economic development plan to reconstruct and revitalize the region.
