Saturday morning brought a welcome news not only to Muslim countries but to the entire world. Israel and Hamas have moved towards ending the Gaza war. Israel has ordered a halt to attacks in Gaza, while Hamas has agreed to some of the points in US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan. Hamas says it is ready to release all hostages and hand over control of Gaza to an independent Palestinian body. Israel launched the war on October 7, 2023, after Hamas attacked and held Israeli civilians hostage. The Gaza area has been severely devastated. Over 66,000 Palestinians have been killed in the two-year war. Millions have become refugees. Israel began the war with the determination to free the hostages and destroy Hamas. The whole world knows that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, openly violating human rights.
Donald Trump gave Hamas an ultimatum by 6 pm on Sunday to accept the peace proposal for Gaza or face hell. He warned that if a final agreement was not reached, Hamas would face a catastrophic attack like never before. Hamas surrendered a day before Trump’s ultimatum.
Hamas also says that there are disagreements on some points of Trump’s proposal, which require detailed discussions. It’s not just about Gaza. The biggest question is how to establish the long-sought peace in the Middle East. The coming days will reveal whether a ceasefire becomes a reality. This question still hinges on the same issues that have always been central. It also raises the question of whether Hamas leaders and Netanyahu feel that ending the war is more beneficial than continuing it. Is this ceasefire a mirage of peace?
Importantly, Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza has received the approval of major Arab countries. Israel must also consider that in two years, it has razed Gaza to the ground and displaced its entire population. Yet, Hamas is not completely defeated. Hamas must also consider what it gained from the destruction of Gaza. Arab and Muslim leaders have welcomed Trump’s peace initiative, but a crucial voice has been missing: that of a representative of the Palestinian people. Who will lead the alternative administration in Gaza? That voice has also not emerged. Any lasting peace depends on an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians’ true representatives, even if Hamas is excluded. Who the true representatives of Palestine will be, will be decided by the Palestinian people. Trump’s peace proposals state that Palestinians will not be forced to leave Gaza. A ceasefire is a relief for displaced people living in temporary camps. It is also true that the rest of the peace plan’s provisions appear to serve Israel’s interests.
It proposes placing Gaza under an international governance body, overseen by a “Peace Board” chaired by Trump. The plan also proposes the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza, while allowing Israeli troops to maintain a “security perimeter.” Hamas will have to dismantle its military. In essence, Gaza will be placed under a new colonial administration and a foreign military force, while Israel will retain control of parts of the territory. Palestinians will be excluded from top decision-making bodies until “reforms to the Palestinian Authority” are completed. This plan is like writing in the sand. Even if Hamas accepts this proposal and packs up, or if the Palestinian people reject Hamas completely, there is no guarantee that Palestinian resistance will weaken.
India, which has always advocated for dialogue and an end to conflict, has welcomed Trump’s move. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that India strongly supports all efforts towards a lasting and just peace. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, France, Britain, Qatar, and several other Muslim countries have also welcomed the ceasefire. However, challenges remain. Countries around the world have recognized Palestine, and some are preparing to do so. Nevertheless, after the devastation, there is now hope for peace. It is hoped that a practical path to peace will be found. There are also fears that Israel may become isolated if the war continues to drag on.
