What’s on the table: Key Proposals :These are the main proposals and ideas being discussed as of late September 2025:

 

What’s on the table: Key Proposals

These are the main proposals and ideas being discussed as of late September 2025:

1. US / Trump’s 20-point (or 21-point) Gaza peace plan Le Monde.fr+3AP News+3Politico+3

   • Calls for demilitarization of Gaza (including disarmament of Hamas) and transforming Gaza into a “terror-free zone.” AP News+1

   • Immediate ceasefire if both parties accept; withdrawal of Israeli forces to specified lines. AP News+2Le Monde.fr+2

   • Release of hostages (alive and deceased) within a short timeframe (e.g. 72 hours) once Israel accepts the agreement. Reuters+2AP News+2

   • Israel to release Palestinians imprisoned (including life-sentenced) and expand release of those detained since October 7, 2023. AP News+1

   • Establishment of a transitional governance structure (technocratic, international oversight, special economic zones, reconstruction) under international supervision. AP News+2Cadena SER+2

2. Arab states / Arab League proposals Al Jazeera+1

   • A plan for large-scale reconstruction (tens of billions of USD) of Gaza without forced displacement of its population. Al Jazeera+1

   • Reformed Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza over time. ABC+1

3. Other proposals / ceasefire deals / mediations

   • There have been ceasefire proposals (e.g. 60-day ceasefires) that include hostage releases and pauses of military operations. France 24

   • Post-war governance plans that include roles for the Palestinian Authority (PA), international oversight, technocratic management, and reconstruction plans. Israel Policy Forum+2belfercenter.org+2

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What the proposals share (common elements)

These plans often have overlapping features:

• A ceasefire (immediate or phased)

• Hostage exchanges / prisoner releases

• Demilitarization or disarmament of Hamas or militant components

• Transition governance (often temporary, technocratic, sometimes under international or external oversight)

• Large-scale reconstruction and humanitarian aid

• Some roadmap (in theory) towards more normal governance, possibly linking to larger discussions of Palestinian statehood or two-state solution

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Challenges, Criticisms, and Risks

Even though there are many ideas, there are serious obstacles:

• Acceptance by Hamas: Many of the plans require Hamas to disarm or relinquish power, which is a major condition that Hamas has not accepted. Politico+1

• Sovereignty and legitimacy concerns among Palestinians: Technocratic transitional governance or external oversight can be seen as undermining Palestinian self-rule.

• Security concerns from Israel: Israel insists on guarantees that Gaza will not continue to pose a security threat. Monitoring demilitarization is difficult.

• Practical implementation: Releasing hostages or prisoners, movement of military forces, reconstruction under bombing zones, UN or international donor coordination, dealing with destroyed infrastructure—all are extremely challenging.

• Potential displacement: Some plans have been criticized for risking forced displacements or being silent about what happens to civilians in devastated zones. ABC+1

• Unequal leverage: The party with stronger military or political power (often Israel in these proposals) has more ability to shape the terms; many Palestinian actors fear the outcome will enforce conditions unfavorable to them.

• Long-term justice, rights, and political resolution: Even if a ceasefire happens, many plans are weak on how final resolution (statehood, rights, borders, refugee return, etc.) will be achieved and guaranteed.

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What this means for Gaza and for people

If implemented in a just way, the proposals could:

• Save lives by stopping fighting

• Allow for humanitarian access, reconstruction of water, electricity, hospitals, roads

• Give civilians some respite and hope

• Perhaps form a basis for longer political negotiation

But if badly implemented, or if parts are imposed unilaterally:

• Could result in loss of rights, weak or puppet governance

• Might entrench inequality of power

• Risk leaving Gaza dependent on external actors

• Risk forced displacement or continued suffering

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My view / What needs to be insisted upon (as an activist perspective)

From my perspective, any credible Gaza peace plan must insist on:

1. Ceasefire first — not just vague promises. Civilians must be protected.

2. Full release of hostages, including those deceased; transparency about condition.

3. No displacement — people should not be forced out of their homes or lands.

4. Palestinian self-governance, with genuine PA reforms if needed, not just technocrats imposed from outside.

5. Demilitarization conditions that do not violate rights; any disarmament should be fair, provide for safe passage or transition.

6. Massive reconstruction with guarantees — infrastructure, access to water, power, healthcare.

7. Accountability for war crimes / human rights violations — justice and reparations.

8. International guarantees — oversight by credible bodies, donor communities tied to human rights conditions.

9. Inclusive consultation with Gaza residents, civil society, women, local leaders.

10. Connection to political solution — not separated from the wider Israel-Palestine conflict: borders, refugee rights, two-state solution or equivalent must be part of the horizon.