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Both Israel and Hamas seem to accept Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. A peace plan that will have many problems to solve along the way. However, there is at least agreement to stop killing, bring in emergency aid and a roadmap for a further process towards a full peace agreement. There is hope for peace in the Middle East.

The slaughter of Palestinians stops

The most necessary thing in the short term is for the fighting to stop. It is also important to bring in food and medical supplies. There now seems to be agreement on this. The hope is that the agreement will be followed and that the suffering on the gas is over.

In the plan accepted by both parties, Israel will also withdraw from parts of the Gaza Strip immediately. Hamas will hand in its weapons and the governance of Gaza will be managed by an international group in a transitional phase. Taking control of Gaza will be an exceptionally demanding process. A society in which most things do not work will have to start functioning again. Hospitals, infrastructure, education and housing for Gaza’s inhabitants.

It cannot be called a complete peace until this is in place and Gaza is once again under Palestinian rule. Elections must be held. It’s going to take a long time before Gaza is there, maybe it won’t happen. However, there is hardly any doubt that the foundations for a lasting peace can be laid. A lasting peace that includes a Palestinian state, recognized by Israel.

Donald Trump’s role for peace

Donald Trump hopes to win the Nobel Peace Prize. He may get it in the long run. If the peace agreement is complied with and his 20-point plan shows progress. Then Trump can celebrate a great victory in a difficult conflict. Donald Trump has this time put pressure on both Hamas and Israel. He has finally understood that there will be no peace in the Middle East without the Palestinians’ interests being heard. The foundations for lasting peace have been laid, the work that remains is massive.

Donald Trump is a controversial president. I have been and am critical of most of what he does, both in the international and national arena. However, this plan is a good one. Trump is going to get some good work done here.

Hamas, the big loser

The terrorist attack on Israel two years ago that led to the war and suffering in Gaza is perhaps the biggest misjudgment in history. What Hamas wanted to achieve is a mystery to me. Iran warned Hamas before the attack. Neither Hezbollah nor Iran wanted such an attack. Nevertheless, Hamas carried out the attack together with other groups. Perhaps Hamas hoped that Israel would react differently when many were taken hostage? Perhaps they believed that Iran would intervene and support Hamas militarily?

Hamas was the loser and is now left with the black sheep. They are losing power in Gaza. A power they have held politically through their military branch. I find it hard to believe that Hamas will play any role in Gaza in the future.

Sources:

BBC: What we know about the Gaza ceasefire deal

Wikipedia: Gaza war peace plan

Fox News: Israel, Hamas agree to phase 1 of Trump peace deal to release hostages, begin ceasefire