Summary
- Antony
Blinken supports Trump’s Gaza plan. - Plan
aligns with Biden-era negotiations. - Blinken
expressed support Thursday publicly. - Both
plans focus on Gaza peace.
He also recognized the framework’s drawbacks, such as
letting Israel decide when the circumstances permit a complete withdrawal from
Gaza.
“I do think it’s cause for some hope. I certainly hope that
the plan gets fully accepted, fully adopted and fully implemented,”
Blinken
said.
“This is essentially the plan that developed over many
months and more or less (was) left in a drawer for the incoming administration,
and I’m very, very glad they picked it up,”
he told the podcast of former
federal prosecutor Preet Bharara.
“There’s some loopholes that they could drive a truck
through if they wanted to,”
Blinken said of Israel.
After Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, Blinken made
a dozen trips to the Middle East, eventually trying to persuade both parties to
agree to a truce while Israel launched an unrelenting counteroffensive.
On January 19, Biden’s last day in office, Israel and Hamas
ultimately reached
a ceasefire agreement, supported by Trump’s new envoy.
However, Israel resumed significant military operations in
Gaza in March and blocked all food supplies, resulting in severe humanitarian
conditions. The UN has declared famine in some areas of the devastated Gaza
Strip.
In a White House appearance on Monday, Trump and Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both supported the idea and threatened Hamas
with severe repercussions if it rejects it.
Although the idea was hailed by world powers, especially
Arab and Muslim countries, some individuals AFP spoke with in Gaza argued it
was impractical because it required Hamas to disarm itself.
What are the main differences between Blinken’s and Trump’s
Gaza plans?
Blinken’s plan showcases the Biden administration’s post-war
management strategy for Gaza that has been in the works for months. The plan
features a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) representing both the West Bank
and Gaza with the process of forming a transitional government with
international support.
It also proposes a security force with both vetted members
of the PA and international officers, designed to avoid the resurgence of
Hamas.
Blinken emphasizes it is vital to provide a “credible
political horizon” for Palestinians, while promoting governance and
reconstruction while preventing further insurgency.
It was mentioned that Israel would determine when or
if it would withdraw completely. However, Blinken emphasized that in
doing this responsibly, Israel would have certain caveats and conditions
related to security that could postpone Israel’s ultimate withdrawal.
