US Unveils 21-Point Gaza Ceasefire, Statehood Plan

The United States has presented a 21-point proposal aimed at ending the war in the Gaza Strip and creating a future Palestinian state, a copy of which was obtained by The Times of Israel. This document, which the U.S. conveyed to a number of Arab and Islamic countries during the UN General Assembly, includes both the release of all hostages and the removal of Hamas from power.

The proposal, primarily authored by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, stipulates that all hostages will be released within the first 48 hours, and Hamas members committed to peace will be granted amnesty. The plan also encourages Gazans to remain in their homes, thereby opposing the idea of "voluntary emigration" discussed in some Israeli political circles.

Key points of the plan include an immediate cessation of the war if Israel and Hamas reach an agreement, followed by the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. After the return of the hostages, Israel must release hundreds of Palestinian life prisoners and more than a thousand Gazans arrested during the war.

The governance of Gaza will pass to an interim, transitional government composed of Palestinian technocrats, which will operate under the supervision of a new international body created by the U.S. This body, in consultation with Arab and European partners, will create a financing framework for the reconstruction of Gaza until the reforms of the Palestinian Authority are completed.

The plan provides for the demilitarization of Gaza and the start of a process of deradicalization of the population. Regional partners will provide a security guarantee to ensure that Hamas and other Gaza factions fulfill their obligations. In addition, the U.S., with international partners, will develop and deploy a temporary international stabilization force in Gaza to oversee security and train Palestinian police forces.

Notably, the plan paves the way for the possible creation of Palestinian statehood. Once the reconstruction of Gaza makes progress and the reforms of the Palestinian Authority are implemented, conditions can be created for a real path to Palestinian statehood, which is recognized as the aspiration of the Palestinian people. The U.S. will also establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to reach an agreement on a political horizon for "peaceful coexistence."

However, this proposal may face serious obstacles. The demands for the disarmament and demilitarization of Gaza will be difficult for Hamas to accept. At the same time, the prospect of creating a Palestinian state could be a "red line" for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has repeatedly stated that he will not allow the creation of a Palestinian state.

If Hamas delays or rejects this proposal, the points of the plan will be implemented in terror-free zones, which the Israeli army will gradually transfer to the international stabilization forces. This is the first time the possibility of partial implementation of the deal has been mentioned, even without Hamas's consent.