‘Trump’s Gaza plan offers ceasefire without statehood’
Al Mamun Harun Ur Rashid :
US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan is being promoted by Washington as a ‘roadmap to peace’ war, but analysts say it offers no credible path to Palestinian statehood and risks establishing Israeli control over occupied territory.
While a ceasefire is urgently needed to halt the mass killing of civilians, scholars argue that without a clear political framework the plan will only prolong the occupation rather than resolve it.
In a new development, two Israeli lawmakers disrupted US President Donald Trump’s address to the Knesset on Monday by chanting slogans calling for the recognition of a Palestinian state and condemning the genocide in Gaza.
Video from the chamber showed Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif of the left-wing Hadash Party being escorted out after they held up a sign that read “Recognize Palestine.”
The protest comes as Washington continues to oppose Palestinian statehood, despite growing global support. So far, 159 of the 193 UN member states have officially recognized the State of Palestine.
During last month’s UN General Assembly, 11 more countries – the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Luxembourg, Belgium, Andorra, France, Malta, Monaco and San Marino – added their names to the list recognising Palestinian statehood.
However, Trump’s plan moves in the opposite direction. It delays the question of statehood indefinitely, reframes Palestinian resistance as a security problem and strengthens Israel’s control over Gaza and the West Bank.
Meanwhile, the 20-point document prioritises a ceasefire, the demilitarisation of Gaza, reforms of the Palestinian Authority and the deployment of an international stabilisation force.
It does not commit to a sovereign Palestinian state or mention the two state solution endorsed by the United Nations.
Commenting on the proposal, Dr Delwar Hossain, Professor of International Relations at Dhaka University, told the New Nation on Monday that the immediate ceasefire is necessary to stop further bloodshed but warned that peace cannot be sustained without a political settlement.
He said, “Right now ending the war is indispensable because hundreds of civilians are dying every day.
The United Nations is not functional and the diplomatic pressure of China and Russia has failed to stop the genocide. The ceasefire was necessary.”
“Israel at this moment is not willing to accept the two-state solution but it cannot occupy Gaza indefinitely against the will of the Palestinians and the growing pressure from Europe,” the professor opined.
“When a ceasefire begins, the door for negotiation opens. After that, the Palestinians and the Arab countries must bargain assertively to achieve peace based on self determination,” he added.
International analyst Prof Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, also former director of the Centre for Genocide Studies at Dhaka University, said that the future of any settlement now depends on US policy.
He said, “The recognition of Palestinian statehood by European countries seems symbolic and almost meaningless when the United States alone determines the outcome of this conflict.”
“Unless Washington takes a clear stand in favour of a two state solution, there will be no meaningful progress. Israel also cannot evade responsibility for genocide and the deliberate killing of civilians,” he continued.
Gaza’s health authorities said on Saturday that more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed and 169,430 wounded since the Israeli assault began on October 7, 2023.
The United Nations estimates it will take over 15 years to clear the immense volume of rubbles caused by Israeli airstrikes.
However, the Trump’s much-hyped plan avoids any reference to UN resolutions, the 1967 borders, illegal settlements, military checkpoints, land confiscation, the right of return for refugees or accountability for Israeli war crimes.
Meanwhile, Hamas has agreed to discuss a permanent ceasefire and started handing over prisoner exchange but opposes any foreign imposed administration in Gaza.
It says any governing arrangement must be formed through agreement among Palestinian factions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already vowed to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state under any condition.
Israel’s parliament voted 68 to 9 last year to officially oppose Palestinian statehood.
Experts said that Trump’s Gaza initial plan offers a ceasefire but not a permanent political solution.
It protects Israeli interests, neutralises Palestinian demands and keeps the question of statehood suspended.
His plan does not demand an end to Israeli military control over Gaza’s borders, airspace and coastline, nor does it stop future military incursions.
It also leaves Rafah Crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor under Israeli oversight. Analysts say that means control of Gaza remains firmly in Israeli hands.
While the Trump plan sidelines Palestine, international momentum has been building for Palestinian statehood. Over 80 percent of the world’s population now lives in countries that officially recognise Palestine.
Several European parliaments are pushing for sanctions on Israel and an arms embargo after the International Court of Justice found plausible genocide in Gaza.
Delwar Hossain said, “It is difficult to say what will happen in long term. Some say the deal is a diplomatic trap.
The US is trying to repackage Israeli aggression. But through ceasefire, the world has to move on for a permanent two-state solution.”