Can the Trump plan bring peace to Gaza?

In this episode, Noshin Iqbal interviews The Guardian's diplomatic editor, Patrick Winter, about President Trump's newly unveiled 20-point peace plan intended to end the war in Gaza. This comes two years after the conflict began with Hamas's attack on Israel. The peace plan proposes various stages, starting with an exchange of prisoners, where about 20 Israeli hostages would be returned for Palestinian prisoners. A significant aspect lies in ensuring that the resumption of conflict is prevented post-agreement, which has historically been a sticking point in negotiations.

Further discussions include the disarmament of Hamas, with questions about the extent of disarmament and the timeline for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Plans for governance in the aftermath of a potential ceasefire involve a controversial interim technocratic body potentially chaired by Trump himself to oversee Gaza's reconstruction. The episode addresses the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasizing the need for adequate aid distributions facilitated by the UN, following earlier criticisms of current organizations.

The interview touches on the geopolitical dynamics surrounding the negotiations, including reactions from Israel's neighbors and the complex roles played by figures such as Tony Blair, who has relationships with Gulf leaders and has been involved in advising on the peace process. Despite the intentions behind the plan, the episode raises concerns regarding the lack of Palestinian representation in the formulation of these proposals and reflects on how the outcome might affect Palestinian independence and monitor Israeli accountability in war crimes. Winter expresses cautious optimism about the negotiations, emphasizing the critical need for momentum to maintain progress.