US unveils 21-point plan to end Gaza war and encourage Palestinians to stay

New York: The United States has put forward a 21-point plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza, encouraging Palestinians to remain in the Strip and outlining a pathway to a future Palestinian state, according to the Times of Israel, which said it had obtained a copy of the proposal.

What does the plan include?

As per the Times of Israel, the 21-point document was shared with a select group of Arab and Muslim countries earlier this week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The plan contains provisions that have been common in previous proposals, including the release of all hostages and the removal of Hamas from power.

The Times of Israel said the plan, which it obtained and was authenticated by two sources familiar with the matter, envisions the US establishing a dialogue with Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a "political horizon" for "peaceful coexistence."

Who drafted the proposal?

The report stated that the proposal was largely crafted by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and is expected to be fine-tuned in the coming days. However, a source familiar with the matter told the Times of Israel that the proposal has not yet been presented in full to Hamas.

What are the key points of the 21-point plan?

According to the Times of Israel, the plan includes several major areas:

• De-radicalisation and redevelopment of Gaza
• A halt to all Israeli Defence Forces operations, with gradual withdrawal if Israel and Hamas agree
• Return of hostages within 48 hours of Israel publicly accepting the deal, including deceased hostages
• Release of several hundred Palestinian security prisoners serving life sentences and over 1,000 Gazans arrested since the start of the war, along with the bodies of several hundred Palestinians

Other points covered the distribution of aid and the administration of Gaza by a temporary and transitional government of Palestinian technocrats responsible for day-to-day services.

How will Gaza’s economy and governance be handled?

The Times of Israel reported that an economic plan would be developed to rebuild Gaza. This would involve experts with experience in constructing modern Middle East cities and would consider existing plans to attract investment and create jobs.

The proposal noted that no one would be forced to leave Gaza, but those who chose to leave would be allowed to return. Gazans would be encouraged to remain in the Strip and offered an opportunity to build a better future there.

Hamas would have no role in governance. There would be a commitment to destroy and stop building offensive military infrastructure, including tunnels. Gaza's new leaders would commit to peaceful coexistence with their neighbours.

What about security?

Significantly, the Times of Israel said the plan envisages the US working with Arab and international partners to develop a temporary international stabilisation force that would immediately deploy in Gaza to oversee security. The force would develop and train a Palestinian police force to serve as a long-term internal security body.

What remains unclear?

The plan, according to the Times of Israel, did not provide details regarding the Palestinian reform programme and is not definitive on when the pathway to statehood could be established.

ANI inputs