Trump plans Middle East trip: Hope for peace in the Gaza conflict!

Trump plans Middle East trip: Hope for peace in the Gaza conflict!

US President Donald Trump may be planning a trip to Middle East peace talks later this week. From current information from ZDF today It appears that Trump believes the chances of leaving on Saturday or Sunday are good. This trip comes in the context of the ongoing talks about the plan he presented to end the Gaza war, which has been the focus of negotiations in Egypt since Monday.

The background to these developments is the intensive Gaza talks in which Trump communicated with representatives from the Middle East. His special representative Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner are already in Egypt to support the negotiations. A central element of these talks is the exchange of lists of hostages and prisoners between Israel and Hamas.

The conflict resolution plan

Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have unveiled a comprehensive plan to end the conflict. This includes the release of all hostages held by Hamas and the complete disarmament of the organization. Trump called the day “historic for peace” and a “new chapter for security and peace in the region.”

The plan calls for the hostages and the repatriation of all bodies to take place within 72 hours of Israel's approval. In return, Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. It is also planned that Israel will gradually withdraw its army from the Gaza Strip. One of the key conditions for this plan includes disarming Hamas in order to make Gaza a “terror-free zone.”

Reactions and further developments

Hamas has said it will examine the proposal “in good faith.” However, it remains unclear whether she will agree to the terms. Trump threatened Hamas with support for Israel if negotiations failed. Netanyahu was optimistic and sees the proposal as an important step towards ending the war.

An important part of the plan is the formation of an international stabilization force and comprehensive aid deliveries. In addition, a special economic zone is to be set up, while Israel is not allowed to annex Gaza. Instead, the aim is for a transitional government of Palestinian technocrats to govern under an international “Peace Council”, which would be headed by Trump and with Tony Blair as a member.

The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has deteriorated dramatically as a result of Israel's military operations. This makes the negotiations all the more urgent, especially in light of the second anniversary of the devastating Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. In this tense situation, Qatar is playing an important role as a mediator in talks on a ceasefire and the release of hostages, while Netanyahu apologized to Qatar for an accidental airstrike that left a Qatari soldier dead.