https://arab.news/zb75r
Today’s confusing diplomatic scene offers the chance that the Israeli onslaught on Gaza may at least be paused, the genocide put on hold. Has Hamas’ conditional acceptance of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace proposal done enough? Will Israel cease operations and for how long? The Palestinians I have spoken to in Gaza are beyond desperate — these are people who have been hoping to be bombed rather than starved to death.
The initial phases of the Trump proposal are the least problematic. Who would not wish to see a proper ceasefire, save the genocidaires? Who would not want to see the resumption of aid to an enclave engulfed by an Israeli-orchestrated famine? Lifesaving aid must be let in at scale, run by the UN, as it should always have been, and not the scandalous Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and its death traps. Given what it has been like for the hostages, both Israeli and Palestinian (Israel has detained thousands of Palestinians, including women and children, without trial) over the last two years, who would not welcome their release?
President Trump wants the win. Hence, he told Israel to stop its operations after the Hamas statement, even though it was not a full acceptance of his initiative. Pretty much every world leader of consequence has welcomed the news, so momentum to get this across the line has built up.
