Trump’s Gaza plan can still work - but only if Washington changes course - opinion

Seven months after a Gaza ceasefire, Donald Trump's peace initiative is faltering, with reconstruction stalled and much of Gaza under Israeli military control. This unsustainable trajectory threatens not only Palestinians but also Israel and the wider region.

The core strategic error has been demanding Hamas disarm before any political process begins, a condition that has resulted in diplomatic paralysis. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition increasingly favors indefinite military control over political resolution. Experts argue that disarmament is typically an outcome of gradual political transformation, not a precondition achieved through declarations alone.

Meanwhile, the West Bank faces growing volatility, with violent settler attacks against Palestinians and warnings from Israeli military officials about escalation. The Palestinian political system remains stagnant, with President Mahmoud Abbas in his third decade of power without elections, fueling fears of dynastic succession.

However, recent Palestinian local elections on April 25 revealed a potential shift. Despite boycott calls from radical factions, 53% of eligible voters participated, demonstrating a preference for ballots and institutions over chaos. Notably, younger reformist and independent movements gained ground, challenging the traditional establishment and signaling a demand for better governance.