Trump’s 2-Party Plan

Donald Trump’s plan did not stop Israeli attacks on the Palestinian people -- attacks based on flimsy pretexts. Israel clearly breached the ceasefire agreement; it blocked the entry of Turkish civil defense teams and closed the Rafah crossing to humanitarian aid, individuals and other paramedic and civil defense teams. This was especially critical; recovering bodies of Israeli captives requires equipment that Hamas lacks, and that Israel is preventing from being delivered to Gaza.

In theory, Trump’s plan is intended to be a practical program for implementing the ceasefire agreement and opening a political horizon for a settlement based on ending the occupation and resolving the two-state issue. This 20-point plan begins by stating that Gaza will be a zone free of extremism and terrorism and will be rebuilt, and that aid will enter normally. In addition, the plan states that upon returning all Israeli hostages, Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence and surrender their weapons will benefit from a comprehensive amnesty. Furthermore, those wishing to leave Gaza will be granted safe passage to other countries.

Trump also did not forget "business." In his plan, he mentioned "an economic development plan to rebuild and energize Gaza." Additionally, the plan proposed that "a special economic zone will be established with preferred tariff." The plan elaborates on stability in Gaza, predicting a prosperous future after the elimination of Hamas both politically and militarily. Also, it calls for reforming the Palestinian Authority. Furthermore, the plan concludes with two points concerning the need to implement a Palestinian Authority reform program. Trump’s plan posits that these "conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood," and that "the U.S. will facilitate a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for a peaceful and prosperous coexistence.") The exchange of captives is the only one of 20 points in Trump’s plan that has been accomplished. Meanwhile, Israel took advantage of the genuine difficulties Hamas faces in locating the bodies of several captives to continue its aggression on Gaza, killing about 30 Palestinians yesterday, the majority of whom were, as usual, civilians.

There are significant challenges, such as the handover of Hamas' weapons, the nature of work of the international peace council to oversee the independent Palestinian administration meant to govern Gaza, the relationship between Hamas' police and Palestinian police forces, and the formation of the international force the U.S. intends to send. At the same time, France has also announced its intent to send a limited force to Gaza. Despite all these challenges, the primary responsibility still rests with the occupation by Israel, which has committed and continues to commit shameful crimes without being held accountable.

Hamas needs to present a civilian political front that moves completely beyond its organizational and military project. Similarly, the Palestinian Authority must introduce new blood that transcends its old administration. Only then can we say there is an entity capable of withstanding the coming storms.