The United States has presented a 21-point plan to end the war in Gaza and chart a course to a future Palestinian state. The proposals also call for immediate measures to release hostages, incentives to keep Palestinians in the Strip, and amnesty to peaceful members of Hamas, among other initiatives, the Times of Israel said.
The US made the document public this week to some Arab and Muslim states on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly.
The encouragement of Palestinians to remain in Gaza is a new US policy, as the previous US President Donald Trump had only indicated in February that America would take over Gaza and resettle two million residents permanently. Moreover, the concept of a potential Palestinian state is a deviation from Trump's policy, as his administration never supported a two-state solution.
The initiative also includes measures in Israel's favor, such as Hamas disarmament, demilitarisation of Gaza, and creating a process to de-radicalise the population.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has never been a fan of a two-state solution, spoke at the UN General Assembly on Friday: "Giving the Palestinians a state one mile from Jerusalem after October 7th is like giving Al-Qaeda a state one mile from New York City after September 11th. This is sheer madness. It's insane, and we won't do it... Israel will not allow you to shove a terror state down our throats."
In spite of this, Trump was upbeat, saying on Friday that an agreement was possible. He posted on Truth Social: "intense negotiations have been going on for four days and will continue for as long as necessary to get a successfully completed agreement."
"All of the countries within the region are involved, Hamas is very much aware of these discussions, and Israel has been informed at all levels, including Bibi Netanyahu," he added.
He also said, "I think it addresses Israeli concerns, as well as the concerns of all the neighbours in the region. And we're hopeful, and I might say even confident, that in the coming days, we'll be able to announce some sort of breakthrough."
The 21 terms of the offer are:
- Gaza will become a de-radicalised, terror-free area that will no longer pose any security risk to surrounding nations.
- The Strip will be redeveloped to enhance the quality of life of its inhabitants.
- Hostilities will stop at once, with Israel halting military activities and initiating a step-by-step withdrawal, if both sides agree to the plan.
- All hostages, dead and alive, will be repatriated within 48 hours of Israel's public endorsement.
- After hostage releases, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners given life sentences, over 1,000 Gazans arrested since the war started, and return the bodies of hundreds of Palestinians.
- Hamas members committing to peaceful coexistence will be granted amnesty, and those who opt for departure will be offered safe passage to willing host states.
- Humanitarian assistance will pour into Gaza at rates not lower than those in the January 2025 agreement—600 trucks a day—along with rebuilding infrastructure and the clearing of rubble.
- Distribution of aid will be conducted solely by independent international organizations, such as the UN and Red Crescent.
- Gaza will be run by an interim government of Palestinian technocrats under supervision by an international committee headed by the US and coordinated with Arab and European partners.
- A full economic strategy will rebuild Gaza by tapping into regional urban development skills and drawing in investment and jobs.
- There will be a special economic zone, with partner states negotiating decreased tariffs and enhanced access.
- Citizens will not have to flee Gaza; those who do leave preserve the right of return, and others will be encouraged and assisted to stay and assist in the rebuilding.
- Hamas will be kept out of government; all offensive military infrastructure, including tunnels, will be destroyed, with leadership vowing peaceful coexistence.
- Regional actors will offer security assurances to guarantee compliance by Hamas and other groups.
- The US and international partners will put in place a temporary stabilisation force in Gaza to ensure security and train a Palestinian police service.
- Israel will not annex nor occupy Gaza in perpetuity, and will slowly withdraw as stabilisation units take control of the area.
- If Hamas refuses or procrastinates on the offer, actions will be taken in terror-free areas, handing over control to the international stabilisation force progressively.
- Israel pledges to avoid future attacks on Qatar, while the US and world community acknowledge Doha's mediating status.
- A systematic de-radicalisation program, including interfaith efforts, will transform narratives and promote harmony between Gazans and Israelis.
- The rebuilding of Gaza and the Palestinian Authority reform programme will establish conditions favouring a credible process towards Palestinian statehood, recognised as the Palestinian people's desire.
- The US will create a conduit for dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to work toward a lasting political framework for coexistence.
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