Despite peace proposal, uncertainty facing Mid-East

A seemingly delighted US President Donald Trump said that the most recent proposal for peace in the Middle East, which he helped broker, was coinciding with the dawning of the best of days for the world. He was standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a White House press conference on Monday and the Israeli Prime Minister's body language seemed to suggest that he was in perfect accord with the US President.

- BY LYNN OCKERSZ

US President Donald Trump with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. (EPA)

(EPA)

The conscience-stricken of the world are likely to hope that this time around the door is being opened for a permanent political settlement in the Middle East. To be sure, there are numerous positives in the recently announced US-initiated peace bid on which there seems to be considerable Israeli agreement as well. However, the troubling poser is whether Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups would be willing to give it a try.

At the time of writing no such agreement has surfaced. If they do agree Hamas and other militants would need to disarm and dismantle their military capability. Here's where the rub is. Besides, they may need to give the 'Two State Solution' a try. Right now we do not seem to be anywhere near this possibility.

Moreover, time has emerged as a crucial factor. If Hamas shows no signs of cooperating to implement the proposal, the possibility is that the US President would be giving Israel 'the go ahead' to 'finish the job'; that is, militarily wiping out Hamas.

Yet, the positives in the peace move need to be recognized. For instance, there would be no question of evacuating the remaining civilians from the Gaza Strip. There would also be no 'occupation' of the Gaza by the Israelis. Instead top priority would be given to the physical rebuilding of the war-devastated region. Humanitarian help would also be available in good measure and an exchange of hostages is to be prominently on the cards.