Trump's Gaza Peace Plan Wins Arab Support, Demands Full Israeli Withdrawal
By Letsile Tebogo for Gaborone Now
In a significant diplomatic development, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Qatar have officially welcomed United States President Donald Trump's comprehensive peace plan for the Gaza Strip. The three Arab nations, while expressing support, have made clear that lasting peace depends on the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and the eventual creation of an independent Palestinian state.
What Does the Trump Peace Plan Propose?
The draft plan, announced on Thursday, outlines a phased implementation process that would begin within 14 days of formal approval by all parties. It includes the disarmament of Hamas and a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. Officials say the roadmap builds on a previously agreed 20-point Gaza peace plan, converting it into a structured implementation framework after eight months of negotiations that followed the release of hostages and the return of remains.
Saudi Arabia: A Timely, Credible, and Irreversible Agreement
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised President Trump's announcement, calling it a historic agreement on the decommissioning of weapons in Gaza. Riyadh commended Trump's leadership and expressed gratitude to mediator nations including Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, the United States, and the Board of Peace.
The Kingdom emphasized that the agreement must be carried out in a timely, credible, and irreversible manner. In a statement posted on X, Saudi Arabia stressed the importance of the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the deployment of an International Stabilisation Force, and the continued, unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance and reconstruction support to the Palestinian population.
Riyadh further insisted that the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza and preserving the unity of Palestinian territories are essential to success. The statement added that the agreement must mark the beginning of a political track toward realizing the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including self-determination and the establishment of their independent state.
Jordan Calls for Strict Timelines and Full Implementation
Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates similarly welcomed Trump's announcement, particularly the arrangements for disarmament and Israeli military withdrawal. Amman expressed appreciation for the leadership of President Trump and regional diplomatic partners, but called for strict execution schedules.
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry affirmed the importance of implementing all agreed-upon stages within a specified time frame, ensuring their reliable and complete accomplishment. It also reiterated the necessity of the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza, the deployment of an international stabilisation force, and the guarantee of sufficient and sustainable humanitarian aid entry without obstacles.
Amman emphasized that the peace agreement must serve as a launchpad toward the two-state solution, establishing an independent Palestinian state on the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Qatar Welcomes Hamas's Acceptance of the Roadmap
Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani held a telephone call with Dr. Khalil Al Hayya, Chairman of the Political Bureau of Hamas. During the call, Sheikh Mohammed welcomed Hamas's decision to accept the roadmap for completing the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, expressing hope that it will alleviate human suffering and bring stability.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry noted in a post on X that Sheikh Mohammed stressed the need for the international community to pressure Israel to fulfill its obligations under the agreement and cease its ongoing violations of the rights of the Palestinian people, thus ensuring the completion of the roadmap and achieving peace and stability in Gaza.
Trump Calls It a Great Breakthrough
Notably, Hamas has agreed for the first time to a detailed roadmap to surrender its weapons and give up any governing role in Gaza, according to US officials, who described it as the most significant breakthrough since the ceasefire began.
Describing the development as a major diplomatic achievement, Trump said, It's a great breakthrough. Nobody thought that would be possible to disarm Hamas. That shows you how much success we're having with Iran because if you go four months ago, five months ago, impossible. So it's a big step for the Middle East, and people are really impressed by it.
What Does This Mean for Regional Stability?
This peace plan represents a rare moment of consensus among Arab nations and the United States, but the path forward remains fraught with challenges. The insistence on full Israeli withdrawal and Palestinian statehood reflects deep-seated regional priorities that have long been central to Arab foreign policy. For Botswana and other nations observing from afar, this development underscores the importance of patient diplomacy and the recognition that lasting peace requires addressing the legitimate concerns of all parties involved.
As the international community watches closely, the success of this plan will depend on the commitment of all signatories to follow through on their obligations. The coming weeks will test whether this diplomatic breakthrough can translate into real and lasting change for the people of Gaza and the broader Middle East.