Ex-UN official sees ‘prospects’ in Trump’s peace plan but urges caution
Martin Griffiths, a former UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, has told Al Jazeera that he does see “prospects” in a recent plan US President Donald Trump to end the war in Gaza, including that Palestinians won’t be forced to leave the territory and those who do will be allowed to return, and a pathway to a two-state solution.
However, he expressed cautious optimism about the deal holding up, citing the previous agreement earlier this year, which broke down after Israel breached its ceasefire in March.
“There is a lot of criticism of that agreement, that draft so far, as you know, partly because it was very secret, for a couple of days, also because it has all the opportunities for spoilers,” Griffiths said.
“The pathway to peace is very tentatively described; there are no solid commitments just yet. Lots to do,” he added.
Israeli ministers oppose Gaza deal, insist on Hamas defeat and occupation of Gaza
Reports have circulated that US President Donald Trump’s 21-point plan to end the war on Gaza could include a possible path to a future Palestinian state.
Ministers in the Israeli cabinet from the far-right National Zionist and Jewish Power parties have come out in opposition to any deal. This comes before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets Trump on Monday.
Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, is reporting that Yitzhak Wasserlauf, a minister in Netanyahu’s cabinet, said the PM has “no mandate for such a deal”, adding, “we must finish the job in Gaza”.
In a post on X, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said: “Mr Prime Minister, you have no mandate to end the war without a decisive defeat of Hamas.”
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he wanted to see Hamas defeated, the captives held in Gaza returned and that he would “never agree to a Palestinian state – even if it is difficult, even if it has a price, and even if it takes time”.
