The recent cease-fire in the Gaza war, brokered by President Donald Trump, has been presented as a harbinger of a new era of peace in the Middle East. Yet, beneath the surface of promised prosperity lies an enduring conflict, as unresolved issues continue to simmer.
A New Order or a Recurring Cycle?
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has long been a turbulent issue, deeply rooted in historical, territorial, and political divergences. Trump’s declaration of a “historic dawn of a new Middle East” celebrated at the Israeli Knesset, echoes past pledges of peace that have often faltered. While his approach may bring economic hope, as many Palestinians and analysts argue, it skirts the core issues of sovereignty and justice.
The Economic Campaign
Trump’s peace plan essentially couches the pathway to stability through economic means. Focusing on reconstruction and development, the plan seemingly treats Gaza’s issues as solvable through prosperity rather than addressing deep-seated grievances. Kristian P. Alexander of UAE’s Rabdan Institute remarks how the plan’s emphasis on economic zones could bypass genuine political resolutions, suggesting prosperity would quell fervor.
The Challenge of Incomplete Sovereignty
The plan proposes a vague prospect for a Palestinian state, a notion already rebuffed by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Without true autonomy—control over borders, airspace, and economic independence—Palestinian aspirations remain constrained by Israeli oversight.
As Dalal Iriqat from the Arab American University articulated, peace without addressing political rights is improbable. For many Palestinians, the agenda of self-determination persists amid fears of enduring occupation.
Global Reactions and Shifting Alliances
International backing for Palestine is gaining momentum, notably from Saudi Arabia and France. Iriqat stresses that symbolic acknowledgments must transition to concrete measures—possibly through sanctions and boycotts—to compel Israel toward compliance with international expectations.
This growing support aligns with shifts in global sentiment, aggravated by Israel’s conduct during the recent Gaza conflict, compounding the pressure on Trump’s administration.
The Fragile Face of Forced Peace
Facilitating a peace reliant on force, as Alexander notes, risks fostering resentment rather than lasting harmony. With Gaza’s reconstruction supervised under Trump’s oversight, some foresee the neglect of the political core will lead to renewed cycles of violence.
Additionally, Iran’s exclusion from recent summits signals potential friction, with the U.S. seemingly favoring its isolation rather than integration into regional peace discussions.
Conclusion: Searching for Enduring Peace
President Trump’s plan, while achieving a temporary cessation of hostilities, leaves critical elements unresolved. The endeavor towards sustained peace hinges precariously on addressing the persistent political and territorial dilemmas between Israelis and Palestinians. As new alignments emerge, the pursuit of diplomatic and genuine reconciliation will be vital to break the cycle of conflict, putting an end to the specter of ongoing unrest.
According to upi, these challenges highlight the complexity and urgency of resolving the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
