US-backed peace plan under scrutiny as Israel launches strike on Gaza

Former US President Donald Trump's new plan for ending the conflict in Gaza, proposed by his Board of Peace, appears to be facing significant challenges from the start. The agreement, unveiled in September last year, aimed to bring about a "credible path to Palestinian self-determination and statehood" by mandating a halt in military operations, a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops, and a disarmament process for Hamas.

Trump expressed optimism about the deal, stating that "Israel was very happy" with it. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disagreed, asserting that he would not order Israeli troops to withdraw until Hamas was completely disarmed.

The 20-point plan outlined by Trump included several key components, such as the creation of the Board of Peace to oversee the implementation of the agreement, the disarmament of Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the establishment of a new technocratic Palestinian government, the deployment of an international security force, and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

Trump suggested that Hamas would hand over its weapons to the Board of Peace as part of the agreement, but the timing of this process remains uncertain, as it depends on other steps being taken.

Despite initial enthusiasm, Netanyahu's rejection of the deal, particularly its call for Israel's withdrawal, highlights the significant hurdles that remain. The agreement stipulates that all weapons held by Hamas-run police must be transferred to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) once they arrive in Gaza.

However, the process is contingent on other steps being completed. In addition, a process to decommission and store heavy weapons, dismantle military production sites and tunnels, and a phased Israeli withdrawal are planned to be initiated after the arrival of the NCAG and the deployment of international forces.