Trump's Peace Council: A Diplomatic Cover for War Arrangements and Entrenching the Occupation in Gaza

Doubts are escalating regarding the true feasibility of the first anticipated meeting of the so-called 'Peace Council' in Gaza, scheduled to be held in Washington under the patronage of US President Donald Trump. Observers believe that the political scene is dominated by an atmosphere of preparation for striking Iran and moving towards a comprehensive regional confrontation, which fundamentally contradicts the declared claims of seeking a peaceful settlement in the Palestinian territories.

In an indication of the nature of upcoming trends, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was absent from the arrangements for this council, content with sending his Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to attend Thursday's February 19 meeting. This absence reflects a lack of genuine Israeli desire to respond to any political arrangements that might impose restrictions on the occupation army's field movements in the Gaza Strip.

On the ground, the occupation authorities continue to obstruct the provisions of the first phase of Trump's plan, especially regarding the opening of the Rafah crossing in both directions. Despite the superficial agreements on managing the crossing with European and Palestinian presence, the reality proves the control of occupation officers over the movement of individuals, where travelers are subjected to meticulous abuse and interrogation, with the assistance of local militias linked to the occupation to impose control.

Statistics indicate a suffocating humanitarian crisis, with about 80,000 Palestinians registering their names on lists of those wishing to return to their homes in Gaza, while more than 20,000 injured and sick await the opportunity to leave for treatment. However, the entity imposes arbitrary conditions that prevent the return of those who left the Strip before the outbreak of the war in October 2023, in a clear attempt to reduce the number of Palestinians within the Strip.

Events have proven the falsity of American and Israeli bets on what is called 'voluntary displacement,' as Washington was shocked by the massive Palestinian turnout to return despite the destruction of their homes. Although the war destroyed about 90% of the infrastructure and houses, adherence to the land remained the strongest Palestinian response to the extermination and displacement schemes that targeted a quarter of a million people, between martyrs and injured.

On the military front, the issue of disarming the resistance emerges as an absolute priority in the second phase of Trump's faltering plan, with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner seeking to impose this condition. According to international reports, the plan aims to gradually disarm the factions, making this a prerequisite for starting reconstruction operations or the withdrawal of occupation forces from populated areas.

These plans face structural challenges, as the resistance relies on local manufacturing within tunnels and workshops, making its monitoring or emptying its stores almost impossible by traditional means. Moreover, the countries nominated to participate in the 'international stabilization force' show great apprehension about entering into direct confrontation with the faction fighters, whose number the occupation estimates at about 20,000 fighters.

In a related context, the occupation authorities handed over combat equipment and modern vehicles to local militias, including the 'Abu Shabab' group, to act as an alternative security arm in areas such as Rafah. This step aims to create internal strife and provide security cover for the occupation, while Israeli forces remain entrenched over more than 60% of the Strip's area, ignoring hundreds of violations of the ceasefire agreement.

As for the West Bank, the scene is no less dangerous, as the final chapter of the actual annexation plan is being implemented by transferring land and building powers to the occupation's civil administration. This coincides with the arming of hundreds of thousands of settlers who launch daily attacks against Palestinian villages, amid international silence that contents itself with hollow condemnation statements that change nothing of the reality.

In conclusion, it appears that the 'Peace Council' is nothing but a camouflaged sign for a real war council aimed at liquidating the Palestinian issue and entrenching the occupation. The facts on the ground, from the Judaization of Jerusalem and incursions into Al-Aqsa and the destruction of Gaza, confirm that the region is heading towards new rounds of conflict, and that American promises of establishing an independent Palestinian entity are nothing but illusions to pass Israeli hegemony projects.

What is happening is not cooking up peace, nor providing opportunities to obtain some rights, and renewed wars are closer than a fingertip, making the Peace Council merely a camouflaged sign for a real war council.