The recent Gaza ceasefire deal, facilitated by Donald Trump's administration, has brought a glimmer of hope to a region long plagued by conflict. But amidst the celebrations, crucial questions loom large, threatening to unravel the fragile peace. The core issue? How can a sustainable peace be achieved when key aspects of the deal remain unresolved?
The deal's success was underscored by the release of hostages and the emotional scenes that followed. Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, and the Qatari Prime Minister both attributed this success to their willingness to leave the finer details for later. But this strategy, while expedient, has a history of backfiring in past peace efforts.
The Oslo accords, for instance, suffered a similar fate. By postponing critical issues, they inadvertently allowed the Israeli far-right to encroach upon the envisioned Palestinian state. This begs the question: Is history repeating itself?
Here's where the rubber meets the road. The Trump plan's viability hinges on several unresolved matters:
Israeli Troop Withdrawal: Israel has retreated from major cities in Gaza, but its recent actions in Syria and Lebanon cast doubt on its commitment to further withdrawals. Netanyahu's statement about encircling Hamas suggests a reluctance to fully disengage. Will Israel truly withdraw its troops, or is this a temporary respite?
Hamas Disarmament: A cornerstone of the Trump plan, disarmament is vehemently opposed by Hamas. The group's monopoly on violence and its historical tendency to develop military infrastructure when armed make this a contentious issue. How can disarmament be achieved when Hamas refuses to negotiate on this point?
International Stabilization Force: The plan proposes an international force to ensure long-term security. However, its composition, mandate, and authority remain unclear. Will this force be effective in preventing conflict, or will it be toothless, as seen in southern Lebanon?
Reconstruction: The White House promises to rebuild Gaza, but the scale of destruction is vast. Israel's potential demands for guarantees against military use of resources and its history of imposing stringent conditions on reconstruction efforts raise concerns. Can Gaza be rebuilt without cumbersome restrictions?
Palestinian Governance: The plan lacks input from Palestinian civil society and has no credible Palestinian figure involved. The absence of Palestinian ownership and the potential exclusion of former Hamas members from governance roles echo the disastrous 'deBaathification' in Iraq. Is this a peace deal that truly serves Palestinian interests?
These unresolved issues are like ticking time bombs, each with the potential to derail the ceasefire. And this is the part most people miss: the devil is in the details. While the initial deal brought relief, the real challenge lies in addressing these complexities.
But here's where it gets controversial: is the Trump plan a genuine step towards peace, or a temporary band-aid on a deep-rooted conflict? The answers to these questions will shape the future of Gaza and the broader region. What do you think? Is this a sustainable peace deal, or are we witnessing a temporary calm before the storm?
