US President Donald Trump has released a detailed 20-point plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza. This proposal has created unprecedented attention, even being labeled by some as the implementation of long-held Israeli dreams. A deeper look uncovers facets of the plan that should make anybody consider its viability and the motives behind it.
We have distilled the plan into a one-page summary. From my perspective, it looks to have been crafted with the direct participation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government. This alignment suggests a more permanent, strategic shift toward putting Israeli interests first. It’s particularly timely for Netanyahu, who finds himself in a precarious state—the head of a coalition government that is construction-dependent on far-right parties. The underlying dynamics of this unusual coalition can make taking their efforts and hopes to compromise more difficult. Yet any such concessions, no matter how modest, could risk destabilizing Netanyahu’s government.
Of the entire plan, Section 17 is especially remarkable. Instead of painting a realistic picture of where willing diplomatic negotiations may lead, it sounds like a wish-list of unilateral demands on Israel’s behalf. This last point highlights the question of whether this proposal will truly help build peace, or simply deepen existing inequalities of power. Critics claim that such an approach destroys any possibility for creating a real space for dialogue and cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians.
One of the few specific promises made in Trump’s plan is an unequivocal pledge to provide full humanitarian assistance and civilian reconstruction support to Gaza. Right now our efforts are concentrated on repairing critical infrastructure such as water, electric, and sewage systems. Along with the assistance we are rendering hospitals, bakeries. Further, the overall plan includes a proposal to expedite entry of all equipment required to remove debris and reopen roadways. Yet without action, these commitments only generate false hope for the people of Gaza. The reality on the ground paints a far different, grim picture. Now, as the Gaza Strip once again lies in ruins, with already dilapidated infrastructure utterly destroyed, the prospect of recovery is a troubling challenge.
Among the many surprises of agreement, Netanyahu was first and most enthusiastic to endorse Trump’s completely unrealistic plan. This quick assistance may not address all the nuances involved. During his address Netanyahu released a modified iteration of the plan. He especially failed to include any promise to form a Palestinian state and fell short of including a complete Israeli military pullout from the area. This difference raises further questions as to what the agreement actually was. It brings to focus its promise, or threat, with respect to future relations between Israelis and Palestinians.
The plan fails to address a critical issue: who will oversee Gaza to prevent it from becoming a battleground for various external interests? Without strong governance or independent oversight, deep fears remain that the seeds are being sown for long-term unrest in the region.
Second, it’s hard to ignore how detached public sentiment in Israel looks toward the humanitarian catastrophe developing in Gaza. Reports indicate that many Israelis remain untroubled by the catastrophic consequences of the war, which has resulted in mass casualties and severe shortages of food and medical supplies for unarmed Palestinians. This indifference may have dire consequences for the wider reception and future viability of any peace initiatives that might emerge.
Conversations around the future of Trump’s plan have started to spark. Yet, Israelis are lapping it up and not put off by worries about its operationality or the unwanted ramifications it could bring. Without any public discussion on these important questions, a cloud of uncertainty remains. It invites skepticism as to whether this rather rudimentary blame-shifting exercise can actually set the stage for longer-term peace.