Description: US President Donald Trump stated that Hamas had three to four days to respond to the US 20 – point peace proposal for the Gaza Strip and the cessation of armed fighting and humanitarian devastation in the enclave. The major points of the peace plan included the exchange of prisoners, the phased-out withdrawal from the Gaza Strip by the Israeli military forces, Hamas’ disarmament and the establishment of an internationally led peacekeeping force which would manage security and the flow of humanitarian aid. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly expressed approval regarding the proposal, even though Israel is yet to formally accept it as a potential resolution to the war. Hamas’ officials have recently expressed doubts regarding some of the points in the plan such as the negligence in acknowledging attempts for the establishment of a Palestinian state and a precise timeframe regarding Israel’s military presence in Gaza and the West Bank. Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries have reportedly exerted pressure on Hamas to affirmatively answer to the proposal as it represented the most progressive solution to the war to date.
Impact: Trump’s 20 – point Gaza peace proposal, despite representing one of the most successful diplomatic achievements in modern – day history when it comes to the relations between Israel and the Palestinians, seems destined to be amended or flat out refused by Hamas which is reportedly disagreeing with at least two major points. The trilateral political calculations between Israel, Hamas and the US would continue to extend the humanitarian devastation and internal displacement of the Palestinian people as each side is hedging its bets to benefit on the back of the large number of civilian casualties. Even if the plan is accepted by Hamas, which presently has no contingencies left and is faced with disbandment through complete capitulation, the implementation of the plan would represent a separate and potentially insurmountable challenge. Plethora of questions remain unanswered, such as the architecture of the governance in the enclave, the inclusion of the international recognition of the Palestinian state and the timeline of Israel’s military presence. The region would remain extremely unstable in the short to mid – term period of time, and even in the highly unlikelihood of Hamas accepting the peace proposal, an entire spectrum of sticking points remain unresolved.