Pakistan asserts Trump’s 20-point peace plan diverges from proposals by Muslim-majority nations regarding Gaza.
The United States President Donald Trump announced a 20-point peace plan on Monday aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza. However, this plan has faced criticism from Pakistan, which claims that it does not align with a draft proposal submitted by a coalition of Muslim-majority countries during discussions held on September 22. According to Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the proposal from these countries emphasized a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, contrasting with Trump’s call for only a partial withdrawal.
During a press conference alongside Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump indicated that Hamas had expressed a willingness to release hostages as part of the negotiations. He urged Israel to halt its bombing campaign in Gaza to facilitate the safe release of these individuals. While Trump remarked that the peace plan had garnered acceptance from various parties, he warned that should Hamas reject the proposal, Israel would receive U.S. support to take necessary actions.
Netanyahu supported the plan, asserting it aligns with Israel’s objectives in the conflict. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the initiative but Dar clarified that Sharif’s comments were a general reaction to Trump’s social media post rather than an endorsement of the specifics of the plan.
The White House’s announcement of the plan followed a meeting of leaders from eight Muslim-majority nations, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, who discussed the crisis in Gaza. The U.S. administration has been advocating for the involvement of Muslim and Arab nations to assist in stabilizing the region, allowing for an Israeli military withdrawal.
According to Trump’s statements, Hamas indicated readiness to negotiate and is prepared to release hostages. He suggested that this willingness points towards a potential for lasting peace. In light of the ongoing violence, which has resulted in significant casualties in Gaza, Trump reiterated the necessity for Israel to cease its military operations.
The conflict escalated in October 2023 following a deadly incursion by Hamas into southern Israel, which resulted in numerous fatalities and hostage situations. Israel has since launched extensive air and ground operations in Gaza, leading to a tragic humanitarian situation, including a declaration of famine in northern Gaza by the UN.
The proposed plan outlines a timeline in which Hamas would need to return all hostages within 72 hours of Israel’s acceptance of the proposal. In exchange, Israel would release a number of Palestinian prisoners and facilitate the safe passage of Hamas members wishing to leave Gaza. The framework also envisions the establishment of a temporary international force to oversee the transition in Gaza, with governance shifting to a technocratic committee devoid of Hamas’s influence.
Despite the ambitious nature of Trump’s proposal, significant skepticism remains regarding its feasibility and alignment with the aspirations of the Palestinian people, particularly in light of the prior commitments made by the coalition of Muslim-majority nations.
