After a Long Time, Peace

After a long time, both the streets of Tel Aviv and those of Gaza witnessed massive celebrations following the beginning of the end of the war. On October 8, exactly two years and one day after the terrorist attack carried out by Hamas, the first phase of the peace agreement was signed in Cairo. Representatives from Israel, several Arab countries in the region, the United States, and Hamas reached an agreement to end the conflict. The signing came after threats from the U.S. government to intensify operations against Hamas if they did not comply. The ceasefire was confirmed by the Israeli government on the afternoon of October 9, and in the coming days, the first phase of the peace plan designed by Donald Trump’s administration will be implemented. This could be a historic agreement that finally cements peace in the Middle East, or merely a temporary ceasefire doomed to collapse over time. What does the Gaza peace plan entail? How viable is it? What will happen in the near future?

The peace agreement in Gaza is a plan proposed by President Donald Trump’s government on September 29 to end the war between the Israeli government and Hamas. The plan consists of 20 points divided into social, economic, political, and military fronts intended to serve as the foundation for stable and lasting peace. The future of the region and the peaceful coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis will depend on the proper implementation of these measures by all parties involved.

The first front to be activated in the peace plan is the military one. Among the 20 points are an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and the release of certain prisoners detained after October 7, 2023. The official timeline agreed upon by all parties stipulates that hostages must be released within 72 hours after the ceasefire, and once all are free, Israel will begin releasing prisoners. These initial steps aim to build trust between both sides and expedite one of the most urgent issues. Up to this point, setbacks are unlikely, as these measures are merely the starting point for the peacebuilding process.

For life after the war, and continuing within the military sphere, all Hamas members willing to surrender their weapons will be granted amnesty and safe passage out of Gaza if they wish, to countries willing to receive them. It was also agreed that all Hamas-owned military infrastructure will be destroyed. Security in Gaza will be handled by an International Stabilization Force composed of the United States and several Arab countries in the region. This force will be responsible for internal security in the Gaza Strip, monitoring the borders with Israel and Egypt, and training Gaza’s new police force. The potential risk with these measures is that small groups of terrorists might reject the peace plan and form dissident Islamist cells that could hinder the agreement’s progress.

One of the most significant issues in this conflict has been the humanitarian crisis within Gaza. The Israeli siege has left thousands of civilians dead, millions displaced, and a long list of war crimes. This is where the social aspects of the plan come into play. The agreement stipulates that once the conflict ends, humanitarian aid will be allowed to enter Gaza without restriction. This includes restoring the power grid and water and sewage systems. At the same time, a total reconstruction plan for Gaza and a series of deradicalization programs will be launched.

Additionally, Israel has pledged that no Palestinian will be forced to leave and that it will encourage them to remain in the area with the promise of a new Gaza. Although the restoration of basic services and the entry of humanitarian aid will make a significant short-term difference, only the swift reconstruction of Gaza City and Rafah will allow life to return to normal. The length of time Palestinians must wait to regain normalcy will depend on the momentum and financial strength behind the reconstruction effort.

The most abstract front is the economic one. The proposals in this area are broad, with few concrete details about how they will be implemented. The main point refers to an economic development plan created by experts, which includes investment projects and the creation of special economic zones. While this is necessary, the agreement offers no details about the projects or how they will be carried out.

Finally, the most critical long-term aspect is the political one. Both Israel and Hamas will have to make concessions and adhere to what was agreed upon in the peace plan. On one hand, Hamas will not be allowed to take part in the new government in Gaza, and neighboring countries will guarantee compliance with this part of the agreement. On the other, Israel commits not to annex Gaza. As the International Stabilization Force takes control of Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces will withdraw. Gaza will then be administered by a temporary transitional government through a politically unaffiliated Palestinian technocratic committee. This committee will be composed of qualified international and Palestinian experts and will be overseen by the newly established “Peace Board,” which will include figures such as Donald Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Finally, the agreement addresses eventual Palestinian self-determination and the creation of a Palestinian state.

This final point could change the history of conflict in the region. Palestinian self-determination and the creation of a Palestinian state must be real, proactively pursued, and achievable in the medium term. Only focused efforts toward this goal will make peaceful coexistence possible. For this, Israel must uphold its international commitments and end the illegal colonization of Palestinian land. On the other hand, the Palestinian people must not tolerate the existence of extremist and terrorist organizations like Hamas. Peace depends on everyone, not just a few. Despite possible obstacles and a disastrous historical record, this could be a unique opportunity to achieve stable and lasting peace in the Middle East.