President Trump’s peace initiative for Gaza, which includes 20 points, gained momentum after its announcement by the White House on Monday. A group of foreign ministers from Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, and Qatar issued a joint statement indicating “cautious support” for the plan.
Interestingly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave his backing to Trump’s proposal during a meeting at the Oval Office on the same day. This is significant, especially considering that one of the plan’s primary aims is establishing a Palestinian state.
As things stand, all eyes are on Hamas and how they will respond. Later on Tuesday, Trump offered Hamas a brief window of “3-4 days” to accept the plan or face what he termed “a very sad end.” Reports emerged on Wednesday that suggested senior Hamas officials were likely to reject it.
Yet, an important player in this equation seems to be flying under the radar: Iran. Tehran, historically the main supporter and arms supplier of Hamas, has remained mostly silent so far.
That said, some troubling signs have emerged. In an interview with NBC News last week, Iranian President Masuud Pezesian warned that Trump’s approach could lead to “fire” in the Middle East. His comments suggested a concern over the potential clash between the U.S. and Iranian interests, especially regarding Israel’s nuclear capabilities, drones, and missile systems. He implied that the situation in Gaza would add to the chaos engulfing the region.
It seems that Iran aims to bolster its military capabilities, using the tumultuous situation in Gaza to buy time and remain relevant. Meanwhile, what about the people living in Gaza? They seem to be collateral damage in a much larger game.
We shouldn’t forget Ismail Haniyeh’s chilling remarks following the events of October 7th regarding Israel’s responses. He expressed a disturbing pride in Hamas’s actions, stressing that “the blood of women, children, and the elderly” was central to their strategy. It appears that attracting global outrage towards Israel is part of Hamas’s method.
In the broader picture, Iran also relies on this strategy in its conflict with Israel. When Pezesian condemned the deaths of many civilians in Gaza during an interview, it didn’t seem to stem from a genuine desire to alleviate suffering. Rather, it appeared to be an attempt to leverage that suffering for Tehran’s own gain.
Iran truly seems to be Hamas’s last stronghold. It’s crucial that the U.S., Israel, and the international Arab community disrupt this support.
However, that won’t be easy. Various state and non-state actors benefit from the ongoing conflict in Gaza. For instance, despite claims of backing Trump’s peace plan, Russia has a history of mixed messages. A Kremlin spokesperson affirmed on Tuesday that they support the President’s efforts to end the violence, yet past comments about Ukraine demonstrate a willingness to mislead.
The stakes are high; Iran and Russia are both deeply entrenched in the region’s dynamics. Keeping Iran from providing Hamas with support is critical for Trump’s team, as Israel has already taken significant steps to cut off weapons supplies to Gaza. Washington also needs to stop any financial resources flowing to Iran.
In essence, peace is essential for Gaza, especially since countless innocents have been caught in the crossfire since October 7th. Although some argue otherwise, Israel hasn’t perpetrated genocide by international standards, and they’ve achieved primary military objectives against Hamas.
Trump’s team must ensure that Israel remains steadfast during this crucial phase, especially with far-right activists present in Netanyahu’s cabinet who might undermine this final peace effort. Labels like “genocide” can harm Israel’s long-term survival as a state.
The children’s lives hang in the balance. Since the onset of these events, many young lives have been tragically lost. The Middle East urgently needs to work toward lasting peace, especially for the sake of the innocent in Gaza.
However, achieving this means addressing the complex dilemma posed by Hamas. The group, alongside extremist allies, should not be allowed to dictate Gaza’s future political landscape. For genuine progress, Hamas might need to be removed if they refuse to comply with the proposed plan. Yet, this cannot solely rely on Israeli actions; it’s crucial that the next generation in Gaza isn’t sacrificed for political gain.
This effort requires collaboration between the Israeli Defense Forces and international stabilizing forces, as outlined in Trump’s initiative. If military action is necessary to dismantle Hamas, the stabilizing forces must ensure the safe establishment of non-Hamas zones.
Egypt, too, faces a difficult choice. Cairo shouldn’t shy away from allowing temporary relocation for Palestinian refugees. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi needs to take steps to safeguard these civilians, ensuring their safety away from Hamas’s influence.
The West has taken in millions during other crises; Egypt has a role to play in protecting Palestinian children and civilians from the ongoing violence.
This isn’t a simple task. No party will get everything they wish for. Still, failure is not an option this time. The future of young Palestinians and Israelis depends on getting this right. If support is offered, it must be for a peaceful future for all.
