Key aspects of this proposal involve the immediate release of Israeli hostages within 72 hours, the disarming of Hamas, which will have no role in Gaza’s future governance, gradual and total Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the introduction of regional Arab and international forces to act as peacekeepers, ensure reform of the Palestinian Authority and facilitate reconstruction of Gaza.
Hamas has effectively been given 72 hours to agree to this deal. If it agrees, the war will immediately come to an end. If Hamas refuses to agree and release all hostages, Israel will retain the full right to continue its current military campaign, the aim of which is to dismantle Hamas and ensure the release of the hostages. Even if Hamas refuses or creates delays, peacekeepers are to begin operating in those parts of Gaza currently controlled by Israeli forces even as the war continues to remove Hamas from the remaining 30% it still dominates.
This proposal contains a much more realistic approach than those countries (especially France, Canada, Australia and UK) that recognized “Palestine” as a state last week. And underlying it is a much more pragmatic, holistic and realistic approach to international law.
Although many details still need to be hammered out, the plan is supported by a wide group of regional and international nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey – even Pakistan and Turkey. In this way, Iran and Russia are being isolated.
Hamas now has three days to respond whether or not it accepts the proposal, which contains many elements that have proved to be sticking-points in previous negotiations.
Keep tuned: A fuller legal analysis of the proposal will be published in coming days.
