Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan

The UN Security Council adopted US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza Peace Plan

Key Features of the UN-Backed Gaza Plan

• Board of Peace (Oversight Mechanism): The Board chaired by Donald Trump, will supervise Gaza’s reconstruction and economic recovery, functioning as the plan’s central coordinating body.
• International Stabilization Force – ISF (Security Architecture): 
  • Role: The plan proposes an International Stabilization Force as the long-term internal security solution for Gaza.
  • Security Objectives: ISF must prevent the inflow of munitions, facilitate the secure movement of humanitarian goods, and stabilize conditions for rebuilding.
  • Non-UN Command: The ISF will be supervised by the Trump-led Board, and though reporting to UNSC, it is not under direct UN command.
• Technocratic Palestinian Committee (Transitional Governance)
  • Apolitical Administration: A committee will handle day-to-day governance, municipal functions, and public services during the transition phase.
• Palestinian Statehood (Political Pathway):
  • The plan states that once the Palestinian Authority is reformed and Gaza’s reconstruction stabilizes, conditions may permit a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.
• Reconstruction Financing (Economic Framework)
  • Trust Fund Mechanism: Gaza’s rebuilding will be financed through a World Bank-backed trust fund, ensuring monitored, multilateral funding flows.
• Prisoner & Hostage Swap: Hamas to release hostages; Israel to release 250 life-sentence prisoners and 1700 detainees, including women and children.

Major Challenges to the Gaza Peace Plan

• Rejection by Key Stakeholders (Political Legitimacy Risk):
  • Israeli Opposition: Israel’s far-right opposes the inclusion of Palestinian statehood, and PM Netanyahu affirmed opposition to any form of Palestinian state.
  • Hamas Rejection: Hamas rejected the proposal, describing it as an “international guardianship mechanism.” It argued that the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) undermines neutrality and effectively aligns the force with Israel’s interests.
• Uncertainty Over Institutional Setup (Operational Ambiguity)
  • Lack of Clarity: The membership, mandate, and modalities of the Board of Peace, ISF, and Palestinian committee are largely unknown.
  • Reluctance of Contributors: Many countries are hesitant to join ISF due to the risk of being drawn into combat situations involving Israel or Hamas.
• Non-UN Command Structure (Governance Risk)
  • Accountability Concerns: With the Board of Peace outside UN command, states fear unclear accountability, conflict-of-interest issues, and limited transparency.

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The Silver Linings and Positives

• UN-Endorsed Reference to Palestinian Statehood (Diplomatic Opening)
  • Formal Recognition: Despite vague language, the resolution includes reference to Palestinian self-determination, crucial for Arab and Muslim bloc support.
• US President’s Personal Stake (Political Leverage)
  • Potential Pressure on Israel: Trump’s central role may keep him invested in Gaza’s long-term stability.
• International Involvement in ISF (Continuous Oversight)
  • Global Scrutiny: Participation of multiple countries in the ISF ensures sustained international monitoring, reducing chances of renewed large-scale violence.
  • Stabilization Incentive: The mechanism creates incentives for a structured, externally-overseen rebuilding process.

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