Palestine statehood hopes rise with Trump’s Gaza plan

The long-standing dream of an independent State of Palestine appears closer to reality, with a solid step toward a “two-state solution” between Israel and Palestine now emerging.

The proposal comes amid ongoing bloodshed in Gaza, where more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli bombardment since October 7, 2023. International attention is focused on a 21-point plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to stabilize the region and pave the way for a Palestinian state.

Kamran Khan said in his latest episode of ‘On My Radar’ that under Trump’s plan, a five-year interim setup will precede the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. This arrangement, modeled on interim administrations in East Timor and Kosovo, would create the Gaza International Transitional Authority, with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair reportedly set to lead it.

In essence, Blair would act as the interim prime minister of Palestine, overseeing a temporary governance framework before full sovereignty is established.

The plan comes at a critical moment, as UNICEF has confirmed famine in Gaza, and civilian casualties continue to mount. Its immediate goal is to end the two-year-long war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

According to The Guardian, the U.S. intends to remove Hamas from Gaza and form an administration that, after reforms, will hand authority over to a reformist Palestinian leadership. The Financial Times reports that the Palestinian Authority will not directly participate in this interim administration. An international security force would monitor borders, prevent Hamas from reorganizing, and oversee a ceasefire and the exchange of Israeli hostages. Importantly, Palestinians will not be forcibly displaced under this plan.

Tony Blair to lead interim Palestinian Authority

Initially, the authority’s central office will be set up in Al-Arish, Egypt, before entering Gaza alongside an UN-approved multinational Arab and Muslim force. If approved, Blair will head a secretariat of up to 25 officials. He met with Trump in August to discuss Gaza’s war and post-war plans, with Trump noting on Truth Social that “we have a real opportunity for peace in the Middle East and we will make it happen.”

Last week, Trump also shared the plan with leaders of Muslim countries at the UN General Assembly, including Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Trump described the session as successful, claiming it brought the international community very close to a deal on the Gaza crisis.

Despite Palestine’s international recognition, it remains a unique state. Out of 193 UN member countries, over 150 now recognize Palestine, including Canada, Australia, France, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta and the UK. India formally recognized Palestine in 1988 but has prioritized strategic relations with Israel over the past two decades.

Global recognition and diplomatic shifts signal new hope

Palestine holds the status of a “permanent observer” at the UN, participating in General Assembly sessions without voting rights. It sends diplomatic missions abroad and its athletes participate in global competitions, yet it lacks agreed international borders, an independent army, and a sovereign economy.

Historically, the Palestine-Israel conflict dates back over a century. After World War I, Palestinian territories came under British control. In 1922, the League of Nations granted Britain a political mandate over Palestine, prompting Jewish migration to the region.

The 1947 UN plan proposed dividing Palestine into Israeli and Arab states, with Jerusalem under UN administration. Israel accepted the plan, but Arab countries rejected it. Following Israel’s declaration of statehood in May 1948, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, and Iraq attacked, but Israel prevailed, capturing 77% of Palestinian land and displacing roughly 700,000 Palestinians - a tragedy Palestinians call NAQBA. Subsequent wars, including the 1967 six-day war, further consolidated Israeli control over Palestinian territories, while settlements expanded dramatically over the past three decades.

After two years of war and the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians, hopes for a two-state solution have been renewed. During the recent UN session, nearly a dozen Western countries recognized a Palestinian state. Canada and Australia’s recognition demonstrates a shift among countries previously seen as staunchly pro-Israel.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that peace in Gaza is now within reach. Western nations have acknowledged that Palestinians deserve freedom, sovereignty, and security - the same rights afforded to all nations. Protests in Italy and Israel, including in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, have demanded an end to the Gaza war, signaling growing global pressure for resolution.

The international recognition of Palestine is not merely symbolic; it carries significant political and legal implications. Meanwhile, Israel is losing support from allied Western countries, evidenced by the approval of the New York Declaration at the UN General Assembly on September 12, which endorsed a two-state solution.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that establishing a separate Palestinian state is a right, not a reward. Israel is increasingly diplomatically isolated, as seen when over half the UN General Assembly hall remained empty during Prime Minister Netanyahu’s address.

US role critical

The U.S. remains a decisive player in the two-state solution. While traditionally a strong supporter of Israel, changing global circumstances and evolving Western policies are pressuring Washington to reconsider its approach. Trump has already rejected the inclusion of the West Bank within Israel, insisting it will never happen.

Questions remain about how much both Palestine and Israel support Trump’s plan. Additionally, Tony Blair’s appointment as head of the Gaza International Transitional Authority is controversial, given his past role in the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and his reputation in the Arab world.

Today, Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Trump at the White House to discuss a framework for agreement. However, Israel often acts independently of U.S. guidance, and Palestinian leadership is internally divided, with conflicts between Fatah and Hamas. Mahmoud Abbas’ Palestinian Authority has little control in Gaza.

The gradual withdrawal of U.S. responsibilities in the Middle East, combined with Arab states focusing on their own defense autonomy, represents a significant shift.

The issue of the two-state solution is not only a Palestinian concern but a test for humanity as a whole. If the international community acts justly, a new dawn of peace could emerge in the Middle East.