US President Donald J. Trump is pushing forward with his ambitious 20-point peace plan for Gaza, insisting that the Hamas terrorist organization surrender all its weapons within the next two months, but critics warn that including pro-Islamist countries such as Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan on his proposed "Board of Peace" could undermine the initiative.
Trump's plan has entered a new stage following the first phase of a ceasefire deal, which called for the release of all remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Disarming Hamas is a key component scheduled after this initial stage, serving as a precondition for Gaza's reconstruction under Phase 2.
Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast this month, Trump emphasized the necessity of Hamas's disarmament. "Now they have to disarm," Trump said. "Some people say they won't, but they will, and if they don't, they're gonna not be around any longer."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this message during a meeting with US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, who made a stopover in Jerusalem while traveling for talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that Hamas's disarmament is essential before proceeding with Gaza's reconstruction.
Despite Trump's commendable goal of turning "swords into ploughshares," the involvement of avowedly pro-Islamist, pro-terrorist nations like Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan on the "Board of Peace" raises significant concerns about the plan's viability in countering Hamas's influence.
The peace initiative aims to end the Gaza conflict decisively, with Trump's firm stance on disarmament signaling a no-compromise approach to terrorist groups. Netanyahu's alignment underscores strong bilateral support for these measures.
As the plan advances, the composition of the oversight board will be scrutinized, with questions mounting over whether countries sympathetic to Islamist causes can contribute constructively to lasting peace in the region.
