The American plan to end the Gaza war: stabilizing the population and paving the way for a Palestinian state.

Washington – "Al-Quds" dot com - Said Arikat

Reports have shown that the new American plan, consisting of 21 points, aims to put an end to the war in the Gaza Strip while maintaining the presence of the Palestinian population within the territory and opening the door for a potential Palestinian entity in the future.

The document was presented last Tuesday to several Arab and Islamic countries on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings. The plan includes familiar elements that have appeared in previous initiatives, including the release of Israeli captives, the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners, and the removal of Hamas from power, yet the proposal shows a notable shift in American policy.

Notable Shift in American Position

The most prominent aspect of the plan is its explicit affirmation of the Palestinians' continued presence in Gaza, marking a clear retreat from previous statements made by President Trump last February, when he spoke about the possibility of evacuating the residents of the Strip and having the United States take control of it. Those statements previously supported calls from the Israeli right and other circles for the voluntary migration of Palestinians, which did not achieve any practical success.

In addition, the plan includes a vision for a potential path toward establishing a future Palestinian state, contingent upon the reconstruction of Gaza and the completion of substantial reforms within the Palestinian Authority. This development represents a significant departure from the previous Trump administration's policy, which avoided explicitly endorsing a two-state solution.

The document stipulates the initiation of direct dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians under American sponsorship with the aim of outlining a "political horizon" for achieving peaceful coexistence.

Proposal Fraught with Challenges

Although the idea of a state may be welcomed in Palestinian circles, the plan includes provisions that respond to fundamental Israeli demands, including the disarmament of Hamas, stripping Gaza of military capabilities, and launching "de-radicalization programs."

It is noted that the plan, which is said to have been prepared by the U.S. special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is still subject to modification in the coming days, but its current form presents difficult challenges for the parties involved, especially Hamas, which will be completely excluded from the political scene. Additionally, the clause regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state may face outright rejection from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly his firm rejection of the idea of establishing a Palestinian state near Jerusalem following the October 7 attack, considering it akin to "granting Al-Qaeda a state near New York after the events of September 11," adding: "This is absolute madness... Israel will not allow a terrorist state to be imposed on us."

Despite the hardline Israeli stance, President Trump expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement, clarifying to reporters on Friday that negotiations "have been ongoing for four days and will continue until a successful agreement is reached." He added via "Truth Social" that Hamas is aware of the discussions, and that Israel, including Netanyahu, is informed of all the details.

Points of the American Plan (21 Points):

1- Transform Gaza into a region free of terrorism and extremism, posing no threat to its neighbors.

2- Rebuild the Strip for the benefit of the local population.

3- Cease Israeli military operations and begin withdrawal upon Israel's acceptance of the agreement.

4- Return all hostages, alive or dead, within 48 hours of Israel's acceptance of the plan.

5- Release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those sentenced to life, and hand over the bodies of Gazans.

6- Grant amnesty to those from Hamas who renounce violence, and provide safe passages for those wishing to leave the Strip.

7- Allow daily humanitarian aid of no less than 600 trucks, as stated in the January 2025 agreement.

8- Supervise the distribution of aid by the United Nations, the Red Crescent, and neutral organizations without interference from Israel or Hamas.

9- Form a transitional Palestinian technocratic government under the supervision of an international body led by Washington until the reforms of the Authority are completed.