The 20-point peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump is being viewed as both a potential lifeline for the devastated Gaza Strip and a death knell for Hamas. The proposal offers an end to the war and massive reconstruction aid, but only on the condition of the militant group’s complete and total surrender.
President Trump has attached a 3-4 day deadline to the offer, warning of a “very sad end” if Hamas fails to comply. The plan has received the endorsement of Israel, major Arab nations, and world powers like France, Canada, and Russia, leaving Hamas to make a monumental decision in isolation.
For the people of Gaza, who have endured a conflict that has killed over 66,000, the plan promises immediate relief. It includes a ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, and a flood of humanitarian aid to address widespread starvation. It also offers the hope of rebuilding their shattered homes and lives.
For Hamas, the price of this relief is its own existence as an armed movement. The requirement to lay down all arms and be barred from governing Gaza is a demand for capitulation. This presents an existential dilemma for the group that has controlled the territory for years.
As Hamas leadership debates the American offer, they must weigh their ideological commitments against the survival of the population they claim to represent. The world is watching to see if they will choose the path of peace, even if it means their own dissolution.