Shortly after US President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping 20-point peace plan in Washington, DC, aimed at ending the devastating Gaza war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the initiative and expressed optimism that all stakeholders would rally behind the effort.
“We welcome President Donald J. Trump’s announcement of a comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict. It provides a viable pathway to long-term and sustainable peace, security and development for the Palestinian and Israeli people, as also for the larger West Asian region. We hope that all concerned will come together behind President Trump’s initiative and support this effort to end conflict and secure peace,” PM Modi said in a post on X, tagging Trump and the official White House account.
The Human Cost of the War
The conflict, triggered by Hamas’ surprise attacks on October 7, 2023, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and 250 taken hostage, has since devastated Gaza. Israel’s relentless military operations have left over 66,000 Palestinians dead and displaced hundreds of thousands, wiping out entire neighborhoods, schools, and hospitals.
This grim reality provided the backdrop to Trump’s announcement of what the White House called a “comprehensive pathway to sustainable peace.”
The 20-Point Peace Blueprint
The plan combines short-term de-escalation steps with long-term governance and reconstruction goals:
- Immediate Ceasefire & Hostage-Prisoner Swap:
- All fighting to stop within 72 hours.
- Hamas must release all 48 remaining hostages (20 believed alive).
- Israel, in return, would free 250 Palestinians serving life terms and 1,700 detainees, including all women and children arrested since the war began.
- Israel would also return the bodies of 15 Palestinians for every deceased hostage handed over.
- Israeli Withdrawal & International Security Oversight:
- Israeli troops to withdraw gradually, conditional on Hamas’ full disarmament.
- A neutral international security force would step in, oversee disarmament, maintain law and order, and train Palestinian police.
- Hamas’ Removal from Governance:
- Hamas would have no political or administrative role in Gaza.
- Its tunnels and military infrastructure would be dismantled.
- Members who agree to live peacefully may be given amnesty, while others would be allowed to leave Gaza.
- Humanitarian Aid Pipeline:
- Large-scale aid, coordinated by UN agencies and the Red Crescent, would be allowed into Gaza.
- Neutral international bodies would manage distribution to ensure fairness.
- Transitional Government & International Oversight:
- Gaza would be temporarily run by a technocratic Palestinian committee, apolitical and made up of qualified locals and international experts.
- Oversight would rest with a newly created ‘Board of Peace’, chaired by Trump, and including global leaders such as former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Global Reactions
Israel’s Position:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stood beside Trump during the Oval Office announcement, cautiously backed the framework. While he welcomed the provisions for Hamas’ disarmament, he warned that Israel would act decisively if Hamas rejected the plan: “Israel reserves the right to do what is necessary for its security.”
Hamas’ Response:
Early indications suggest Hamas is deeply skeptical. A Hamas spokesperson in Beirut dismissed the plan as a “dictated settlement” that strips Palestinians of self-determination. The group has historically refused to give up arms or accept exclusion from governance.
Arab Nations:
- Qatar and Egypt, both key mediators, confirmed that they had conveyed the proposal to Hamas negotiators. Qatar’s Prime Minister reportedly urged Hamas to “consider the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza” before outright rejecting it.
- The United Arab Emirates welcomed the plan as a “serious step toward ending bloodshed.”
- However, many Arab analysts criticized the plan for sidelining Palestinian political representation, calling it “top-down” and “foreign-driven.”
Europe’s Take:
Some European countries that recently recognized a Palestinian state cautiously welcomed the move but stressed the need for “clear timelines” and Palestinian buy-in for the plan to succeed.
A Plan With Many Questions
While hailed as bold, the proposal leaves several issues unresolved:
- Who exactly will serve on the “technocratic Palestinian committee”?
- What guarantees exist that Hamas will disarm?
- Will Israel agree to fully pull back once security conditions are met?
- Can Trump, as chair of the Board of Peace, sustain international trust amid political polarization?
For now, Modi’s strong endorsement signals India’s commitment to backing initiatives for peace in West Asia — a region central to its energy security, trade, and the welfare of millions of Indian expatriates.
Whether Trump’s plan becomes a historic turning point or another shelved blueprint in the long, bloody history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict depends on how both sides — and the world — respond in the coming days.
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