Palestinian Authority Questions Trump's 20-Point Plan to End Gaza Conflict

Palestinian Authority Official Questions Trump's Plan to End Gaza War RAMALLAH, West Bank - The Palestinian Authority has expressed skepticism about a 20-point plan proposed by President Donald Trump to end the conflict in Gaza. Dr. Omar Awadallah, deputy minister of Foreign Affairs for the Palestinian Authority, said that while the plan is a step in the right direction, it lacks input from key stakeholders and may not address the root causes of the crisis. According to Awadallah, the plan was drawn up without consulting Palestinians or Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007. "We think that the American president, Mr. Trump, he started this initiative, but unfortunately, we were not involved in the process," Awadallah said in an interview with NPR's Morning Edition. The conflict in Gaza has been ongoing for over a decade, resulting in widespread destruction and human suffering. The plan proposed by Trump includes measures such as increased economic aid, improved security cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and a potential prisoner exchange program. However, Awadallah expressed concerns that the plan may not address the underlying issues driving the conflict. "We need to talk about the core issues - the occupation, the settlements, the blockade," he said. "These are the things that have been causing the suffering of our people for so long." The international community has long been involved in efforts to broker a peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians. The United Nations, European Union, and other organizations have all called for an end to the conflict. In recent years, there have been several attempts to negotiate a lasting peace deal, but none have been successful. The latest effort was led by former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in 2016, which ultimately failed due to disagreements between Israelis and Palestinians. The current situation in Gaza remains dire, with thousands of Palestinians displaced and many more struggling to access basic necessities such as food, water, and healthcare. Awadallah acknowledged the severity of the crisis but expressed skepticism about Trump's plan. "We need a comprehensive approach that addresses all the issues," he said. "This is not just a matter of aid or economic support - it's about justice and human rights." As for next steps, Awadallah said that the Palestinian Authority is willing to engage in negotiations with Israel but only if there is a genuine commitment to resolving the conflict. "We need to see real actions on the ground," he said. "Not just words and promises." The Trump administration has not publicly commented on the plan's reception by the Palestinian Authority or Hamas, which has also expressed skepticism about the proposal. Background: The conflict in Gaza began in 2007 when Hamas took control of the territory from the Palestinian Authority. Since then, there have been several wars between Israel and Hamas, resulting in widespread destruction and human suffering. In recent years, the international community has increased pressure on both sides to negotiate a lasting peace agreement. Additional Perspectives: The Israeli government has not publicly commented on Trump's plan but has expressed support for increased economic aid to Gaza. Hamas has also expressed skepticism about the proposal, calling it "unacceptable" and saying that it does not address the root causes of the conflict. Current Status: The situation in Gaza remains dire, with thousands of Palestinians displaced and many more struggling to access basic necessities. The Palestinian Authority is willing to engage in negotiations with Israel but only if there is a genuine commitment to resolving the conflict. *Reporting by Npr.*