President Trump’s Gaza plan in normal times would have been outrageous, but these are challenging times, and anything that offers some reprieve to people’s conscience is divine grace. Last week, Israel was bombing Qatar, and calling any one criticizing to be supportive of terrorism.
This week it’s apologizing, and Qatar is the official interlocutor with Hamas. Few months back Trump wanted to build a resort after clearing Gaza, yesterday he offered a 3 stage program for ceasefire and rebuilding Gaza, and even offered statehood. The UN general assembly, sounded rebellious, leaders could no longer neglect growing opinions and assault on collective consciousness.
While Gaza has hesitatingly agreed to ‘study’ the proposal, Netanyahu said he would accept it, short of statehood. With his entire moderate population against him, he can ill afford the to antagonize his Zionist supporters.
Trump’s proposal, lays down surrender by Hamas as the precondition, and a gradual staged withdrawal by Israel with provision of a buffer zone
The proposal does not include West Bank or settler colonies. It just offers rushing in aid and rebuilding. The biggest challenge is the terrible track record of Israel for violating all agreements and conditions.
Netanyahu is beyond redemption. The Palestinians this time had decided to die, rather than be displaced again as they know, that Netanyahu wants their land, however tiny it may be.
The test for the international community is tough, can they get the wily duo of Trump and Netanyahu to fulfill the deal. We have seen Italian and French navy escorting the flotilla. Qatar may finally be the guardian custodian for Gaza and Israel may rue the outcome.
