By Uzma Ehtasham
Claims by US President Donald Trump that his Peace Board has secured an agreement under which Hamas will disarm in Gaza and Israeli forces will withdraw once the territory is demilitarized have once again placed the Middle East peace process at the center of international attention. According to Trump, the proposed arrangement would be introduced in carefully managed stages, eventually leading to the establishment of a new Palestinian administration supported by an international stabilization force working alongside Palestinian police. He described the initiative as an important step towards lasting peace and security, presenting it as a breakthrough capable of ending one of the world’s most destructive and enduring conflicts.
Yet, despite the significance of such an announcement, Israeli officials have not publicly confirmed the existence of any agreement, leaving many crucial questions unanswered. For millions watching the tragedy unfold in Gaza, any indication that diplomacy may finally be gaining ground naturally inspires hope. After months of destruction, humanitarian suffering and deepening regional instability, the prospect of a negotiated settlement is one that deserves serious attention. Civilians have borne the overwhelming burden of the conflict, with countless families displaced, essential infrastructure devastated and humanitarian agencies struggling to meet even the most basic needs. Against such a backdrop, even the possibility of a political breakthrough offers a rare glimpse of optimism.
Hope, however, cannot replace evidence. International diplomacy has repeatedly shown that meaningful peace is built through verified negotiations, carefully negotiated compromises and formal commitments accepted by all parties involved. Major political agreements are rarely announced through unilateral declarations alone. They usually emerge after prolonged negotiations, followed by coordinated statements from all participating governments and organizations. When only one side presents a supposedly historic agreement while others remain silent, caution becomes essential.
This is particularly true in a conflict as complex as Gaza, where every diplomatic development carries enormous political, military and humanitarian consequences. The absence of immediate confirmation from Israel inevitably raises doubts about the status of the proposed arrangement. Equally significant is the lack of any public response from Hamas or other Palestinian representatives regarding the reported disarmament process. Without acknowledgement from the principal actors, the announcement remains an assertion rather than a confirmed diplomatic achievement.
The Middle East has witnessed numerous peace initiatives over several decades, many of which began with ambitious promises but failed to survive the realities of politics and conflict. Agreements have frequently collapsed because the underlying causes of violence remained unresolved or because trust between the parties proved impossible to sustain. Experience suggests that lasting peace requires more than carefully crafted announcements. It depends on detailed negotiations, effective implementation mechanisms and guarantees that every party will honor its commitments.
The United States has traditionally presented itself as the principal mediator in Arab-Israeli diplomacy. From the Camp David negotiations to later peace efforts, Washington has consistently sought to position itself as an indispensable diplomatic actor. Yet American involvement has also remained controversial. Successive administrations have maintained exceptionally close strategic, military and political ties with Israel, leading many Palestinians and governments across the Middle East to question whether the United States can genuinely act as an impartial broker. That perception continues to influence how every new American proposal is received throughout the region.
President Trump has consistently highlighted the Abraham Accords as one of the defining foreign policy achievements of his previous administration. Those agreements undoubtedly reshaped regional diplomacy by establishing formal relations between Israel and several Arab states, reducing long-standing diplomatic barriers and opening new channels of economic and security cooperation. Nevertheless, they did not resolve the central issue that has remained at the heart of the conflict for generations: the future of the Palestinian people and their longstanding demand for statehood.
Regional normalization, while important, cannot by itself eliminate the political grievances that continue to fuel instability. Diplomatic recognition between governments may improve interstate relations, but it does not automatically address occupation, displacement, borders, security arrangements, refugees or the status of Jerusalem. These questions remain deeply contested and continue to shape the daily realities faced by both Palestinians and Israelis.
Any proposal centered on Gaza’s future must therefore extend beyond immediate security arrangements. Demilitarization may reduce violence if accepted by all sides, but it cannot serve as a substitute for a comprehensive political settlement. Security measures are most effective when accompanied by credible political progress. Otherwise, temporary calm risks giving way to renewed confrontation once underlying disputes inevitably resurface.
Equally important is the humanitarian dimension of the crisis. Gaza has suffered immense destruction, with homes, hospitals, schools and public infrastructure damaged on a massive scale. Rebuilding the territory will require sustained international cooperation, substantial financial assistance and secure conditions that allow reconstruction efforts to proceed without interruption. Political agreements that overlook the urgent humanitarian needs of ordinary civilians are unlikely to command lasting public confidence.
The proposed role of an international stabilization force also raises practical and political questions. Such missions require broad international legitimacy, clearly defined mandates and the consent of the parties on the ground. History offers numerous examples where peacekeeping operations have struggled without unified political support or clear objectives. Any future international presence in Gaza would therefore require extensive consultation, transparent planning and widespread diplomatic backing.
The broader international community also has an essential responsibility. Regional powers, neighboring Arab states, the United Nations and influential global actors all have important roles in encouraging dialogue, facilitating humanitarian assistance and supporting negotiations grounded in international law. Durable peace cannot depend upon the political fortunes or personal declarations of any single leader. It requires sustained diplomatic engagement involving all stakeholders with genuine influence over events on the ground.
(The writer is a public health professional, journalist, and possesses expertise in health communication, having keen interest in national and international affairs, can be reached at uzma@metro-morning.com)
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