A Peace Built Unequal

From asymmetry to hardline politics, Trump’s Gaza peace proposal raises doubts about its fairness, feasibility, and long-term stability

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Trump and Netanyahu's Gaza roadmap appears fragile -- marred by mistrust, right-wing resistance, and the absence of consensus.

Amid news of the Global Sumud Flotilla nears Gazas “danger zone, carrying urgent medicine, food, and international volunteers in a bid to challenge Israel's naval blockade, US President Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, met at the White House in Washington on Monday then held a joint press briefing in which they hailed their Gaza peace plan as a historic breakthrough and new chapter for the Middle East.

Earlier, the White House released the 20-point plan aimed at ending the war in the Palestinian territory that erupted after the deadly attack on October 7, 2023. But it was evident that Hamas had not been consulted, and its position on the terms remained uncertain. Both Trump and Netanyahu made it clear that they were not offering Hamas a choice in the matter. If the group refused, Trump told reporters, “Israel would have my full backing to finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas. The Plan calls for a ceasefire, a swap of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a staged Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian territory, Hamas disarmament and a transitional government led by an international body. The plan also demands that Hamas lay down its arms and renounce governance in the strip. Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence would be given amnesty to remain in Gaza, or they would be granted safe passage to receiving countries.