US President Donald Trump’s latest Gaza peace initiative has raised serious concerns that Palestinian aspirations for a unified state could be permanently undermined. Experts warn that if Arab and European governments do not act decisively, the plan may effectively split Gaza from the West Bank and weaken the prospects for Palestinian statehood.
A Plan with Limited Palestinian Input
Trump’s “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict”, endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803, establishes a governance structure in Gaza controlled largely by external actors:
- The Board of Peace (BoP), chaired by Trump
- The Gaza Executive Board (GEB) with no Palestinian or Israeli representation
- An International Stabilization Force (ISF)
- A technocratic National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) vetted under US and Israeli oversight
Although factions like Fatah and Hamas agreed to participate, the plan leaves Palestinians with minimal authority, raising fears of long-term depoliticization.
Gaza at Risk of Separation
UNSCR 2803 conditions Palestinian statehood on strict targets: demilitarization, verified security milestones, and functioning governance structures. It also delays any real connection with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, effectively institutionalizing a split between Gaza and the West Bank until at least 2027.
Experts warn that this delay could make a unified Palestinian state increasingly unattainable.
The “New Gaza” Project
The redevelopment plan, spearheaded by Jared Kushner, envisions Gaza as a series of modernized districts, prioritizing economic zones over the needs of its population.
- Reconstruction is set to begin in areas under Israeli military control.
- Many Palestinians may be excluded from redeveloped zones.
- The plan could create two Gazas: one sanitized and depoliticized, and another marginalized and unstable.
This approach risks further displacement and could fuel anti-Israel sentiment across the region.
West Bank Annexation Accelerates
Meanwhile, Israel has approved sweeping measures in the West Bank, accelerating settlement growth and land seizure. Far-right officials have openly stated their intention to end Palestinian statehood, while the international community’s responses remain limited.
Experts warn that if unchecked, Trump’s plan combined with Israeli annexation policies could make a unified Palestinian state impossible.
Call for Action
Analysts stress the urgent need for:
- Palestinian unity: The PLO, Fatah, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority must overcome internal divisions and pursue reform.
- Arab diplomatic coordination: Countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt should collectively pressure Washington to protect Palestinian statehood.
- European intervention: Beyond statements, Europe should actively support Palestinian reforms and consider measures to deter annexation.
Without decisive international action, experts warn, the dream of a Palestinian state comprising Gaza and the West Bank may vanish.