When the Gaza ceasefire was reached a few weeks ago, it was met with much fanfare and relief from all sides. Celebrations broke out in the rubble-strewn streets of Gaza City, Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners returned to their families, and Donald Trump was lauded for his role in brokering the agreement. There was finally good news after two years of brutal war.
Critically, unlike the ceasefire reached back in January that Israel unilaterally abandoned, the latest truce was part of a comprehensive framework: U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, which is largely based on former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s work to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In addition to ending the fighting, the plan outlines a blueprint to transform the region, with its final points calling for a “credible pathway” to Palestinian self-determination, albeit in vague terms.
The plan is full of elements that are quite sensible. Phase 1, which has by and large been implemented, called for the cessation of fighting, the freeing of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of Gaza. While these achievements should indeed be celebrated, the subsequent phases of the plan—including the disarming of Hamas, reconstruction of Gaza and eventually Palestinian statehood—are far less likely to succeed.