DND Report: The recently proposed Gaza Peace Plan marks a significant attempt to end the two-year-long war in Gaza and chart a path toward Palestinian statehood. The plan offers a framework for immediate peace and lays the foundation for a two-state solution long sought by the international community.
Israel has accepted the plan, reluctantly, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu struggling to present it to his ultra-right constituency. This acceptance is being seen as an “irreversible commitment to the two-state solution”, one that Muslim countries can use diplomatically to hold Israel accountable.
Crucially, the plan also rules out Israeli annexation of the West Bank and rejects past proposals, such as relocating Gazans into ghettos, permanent occupation, or mass displacement. For the first time, a “right of return” clause has been included, guaranteeing Palestinians the right to return to their homeland.
At its core, the Gaza Peace Plan is designed to halt hostilities, end the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and prevent further displacement of Palestinians. The plan explicitly rules out the permanent occupation or annexation of Gaza by Israel—an idea often floated by ultra-right-wing Israeli politicians. Instead, it obliges Israel to accept the principle of a future Palestinian state and guarantees that no forced exodus of Gazans will take place. Even Hamas members who lay down their arms and agree to live under new governance would be granted amnesty.
One of the plan’s central features is the gradual transfer of Gaza’s governance to the Palestinian Authority (PA), recognized internationally and across the Muslim world as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. A transitional government of Palestinian technocrats and apolitical figures would lead Gaza during the interim period.
Security for Gaza would be ensured by an International Security Force, requiring a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. Oversight of the plan’s implementation would fall under a Supervisory Board led by former U.S. President Donald Trump, ensuring Israel’s compliance.
The plan enjoys widespread support from major Muslim states. Egypt and Jordan, due to their proximity to Gaza and large Palestinian populations, were among the first to endorse it. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, expected to contribute significantly to Gaza’s reconstruction and possibly security, have also welcomed the proposal enthusiastically. Turkey and Indonesia have expressed their backing as well.
The Palestinian Authority, represented by the PLO, announced on September 29 that it welcomed the plan, reiterating its demand for an independent and sovereign Palestinian state coexisting peacefully alongside Israel. The PLO’s stance aligns with its commitments under the Oslo Accords of 1994. Hamas, meanwhile, has indicated that it is studying the plan “in good faith.”
Critics may argue that the plan does not deliver full justice to the Palestinians. However, unlike past initiatives, it is not solely written on the victor’s terms. Instead, it offers a workable compromise, acknowledging Palestinian rights while addressing Israeli security concerns. If implemented sincerely by all sides, the Gaza Peace Plan could end Palestinian suffering and eventually pave the way to full Palestinian statehood. However, its failure—whether by extremist factions in Israel or hardline Palestinian groups—could lead to the permanent occupation of Gaza and the gradual annexation of the West Bank.
Although 20 points shared by US President Trump are silent about the fate of Abraham Accord, but it is expected US and Israel sooner link Palestinian statehood recognition to broader Arab participation in the Abraham Accords. For Muslim countries, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity and would need a unified stance through joint consultations because in emerging geopolitical realities of the Middle East, Abraham Accords becoming opportunity rather than challenge. Several Middle Eastern countries have already indicated that they can join Abraham Accords provided Israel accepts two-states subject. Once Israel accepts this demand, there would be easy for Muslim states to join the Accords. The Abraham Accords are a set of agreements that established diplomatic normalization between Israel and several Arab states, beginning with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The UAE and Bahrain became the first Arab countries to formally recognize Israel since Jordan in 1994. Trump administration is seeking to expand the Accords to include Syria, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia.
