In a development that could reshape the future of the Gaza Strip, former U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a draft peace plan aimed at achieving the complete disarmament of Hamas, the militant group governing Gaza and responsible for the October 7, 2023 attacks. The plan proposes that Hamas militants surrender their weapons to a newly established Gaza administration, paving the way for the dismantling of heavy arms, weapons depots, and extensive tunnel networks used for military operations and hostage-taking.
Central to the proposal is the establishment of a technocratic interim government in Gaza, overseen by a Board of Peace convened by Trump and supported by an international stabilization force. The plan explicitly states that Israel would withdraw its forces without occupying or annexing Gaza, handing security responsibilities to the new administration. While Israeli officials had not issued a formal response initially, their cautious stance has been interpreted as an acknowledgment that not all solutions in the Middle East must be zero-sum.
The initiative echoes earlier efforts such as Israel’s unilateral disengagement from Gaza in 2005, but it arrives amid ongoing tensions involving Israeli military actions in southern Lebanon and settler violence in the occupied West Bank, factors that contribute to the broader U.S.-Israel-Iran regional conflict. Supporters of the plan view it as a potentially historic step toward lasting peace and security, suggesting that a rebuilt and prosperous Gaza, governed by a reformed Palestinian Authority, could restore normalcy for roughly two million Palestinians living under harsh conditions.
Critics, however, have expressed skepticism over the plan’s intentions and feasibility. Concerns have been raised about reports that neighboring countries such as Jordan and Egypt were approached to accept Gazan migrants, fueling fears that the plan may aim to depopulate Gaza in favor of transforming it into a luxury tourist destination. This notion was fueled in part by Trump’s description of Gaza as a "beautiful piece of property" and by an AI-generated video depicting the Strip as a Dubai-style resort, which he later characterized as satire. Humanitarian advocates highlight the need to prioritize the well-being of Gaza’s population, warning against any approach that might exacerbate their suffering or reduce them to a workforce servicing an elite tourism economy.
The plan’s architects include figures such as Sir Tony Blair, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and real estate investor, who collectively form the seven-member Board of Peace. Despite mixed reactions, the disarmament of Hamas is viewed by some as a significant achievement and a necessary foundation for peace.
As the situation remains fluid, the ultimate success of the plan depends largely on the willingness of Gazans to embrace the proposed political transformation and on international support that balances security concerns with humanitarian imperatives. Observers await further developments to assess whether this initiative can break the long-standing deadlock in Gaza or if it will encounter the challenges that have hindered previous peace efforts.