September 30th, 2025 –
The twenty-point “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict”, released yesterday by the White House and agreed to by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, offers a modicum of hope – hope that the hostages in Gaza will soon be released and reunited with their families, that the politically-motivated Israeli military operation will finally be ended, and that massive levels of aid will be surged to the suffering population of Gaza, ahead of extensive reconstruction of the Strip, starting with infrastructure, hospitals, and bakeries.
The plan’s various clauses contain additional positives: The explicit rejection of forced displacement from Gaza, and of its annexation, or even occupation, by Israel; the replacement of Hamas as a governing entity by an “apolitical Palestinian committee” ahead of a transition to the Palestinian Authority; and a recognition of the Palestinian goal of self-determination and statehood, together with an implied commitment to developing a “credible pathway” toward that outcome.
Unfortunately, the plan itself is only as good as the words and actions of the actors who need to implement it. Aspirations are a long way from enforceable promises. While the Palestinian Authority has endorsed the plan, Hamas has yet to officially do so, and smaller Palestinian organizations might seek to play the role of spoiler. Netanyahu, who has a reputation for sabotaging deals in order to placate his militant base, is already indicating that he plans to uphold only certain parts of the package he agreed to, as he hurriedly (speaking in Hebrew) rejected key elements such as the Palestinian Authority’s return to Gaza and the very idea of Palestinian statehood. Moreover, President Trump as final arbiter is unlikely to fill Palestinians with hope.
Our hope for better times, therefore, is mixed with deep concern as we await developments.
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