International diplomats share documents outlining Gaza’s future

Displaced unarmed Palestinians would be allowed to return home and move freely throughout Gaza, the Israeli draft said, adding that "humanitarian aid would immediately be allowed in without obstruction".

Humanitarian aid and fuel, under this plan, would be brought by 600 trucks daily, including 50 fuel trucks, 300 of which would be for the north of the Gaza Strip.

According to the Israelis, these "will be allowed in from day one, including the fuel necessary to operate the power station, trade, and equipment needed to remove rubble, rehabilitate and operate hospitals, health centres, and bakeries in all areas of the Gaza Strip, a process that will continue throughout all stages of the agreement".

Exchange of hostages

During this phase, Hamas would release 33 Israeli hostages, including those living and dead, in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli detention.

Hamas would start by releasing all living Israeli civilian women and children. Israel would release 30 Palestinian women and children for each Israeli hostage released, based on lists provided by Hamas featuring the longest-held prisoners.

Following that, Hamas would release all living elderly Israeli hostages, plus sick and injured Israeli civilians.

Israel would release 30 elderly and sick Palestinian prisoners (with no more than 15 years remaining on their sentences) for each Israeli hostage released, based on lists provided by Hamas featuring the longest-held prisoners.

The next stage would involve Hamas releasing all living Israeli female soldiers. Israel would release 50 Palestinians for every Israeli soldier released (30 serving life sentences and 20 with no more than 15 years remaining on their sentences).

These are based on lists provided by Hamas, except for at least 100 prisoners, to be discussed in the second phase. The Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences will be released either abroad or in Gaza.

Prescribing the detail

There is to be a mechanism for exchanging detainees, with specific numbers on specific days, each act reciprocated by the other side. Hamas would provide information on the number of Israeli hostages to be released during certain stages.

After the release of Hisham El-Sayed and Avera Mangisto (included in 33 hostages), Israel would release 47 prisoners from the Shalit deal.

The exchange process is contingent upon both sides adhering to the agreement's terms, including halting military operations, Israeli forces' withdrawal, return of internally displaced persons, and entry of humanitarian aid.

There is a specific provision for released Palestinian prisoners not being rearrested for the same charges as before, with Israel not requiring them to serve the remaining sentences or sign any documents as a condition for their release.

In later phases, male soldiers and civilians are to be released. The drafts set out in fine detail how many of which category are to be released on which days and in which order. The aim is to conclude the agreement before the end of the fifth week.

The second 42-day phase would see all remaining living male Israeli hostages (both civilians and soldiers) exchanged for Palestinians in Israeli detention and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

The third 42-day phase would see the exchange of the bodies of the deceased between both sides, after a process of retrieval and identification.

Rehabilitation of Gaza

UN agencies are to continue providing humanitarian services in the Gaza Strip throughout all stages of the agreement.

Crucial to the rehabilitation of Gaza is its infrastructure (including electricity, water, sewage, communications, and roads). Work will commence across all regions of the Gaza Strip, while equipment needed for debris removal will be provided.

The documents suggest that 60,000 temporary homes and 200,000 tents will be provided for internally displaced residents of Gaza.

Furthermore, after the release of all female Israeli soldiers, an agreed number of injured military personnel would be allowed to travel through the Rafah Crossing for medical treatment, with increased travel and patient movement, and the resumption of goods and trade movement.

Arrangements for the comprehensive reconstruction of destroyed houses, facilities, and infrastructure would commence under the supervision of Egypt, Qatar, and the UN.

Implementation of the Gaza Strip reconstruction plan, which would take between 3-5 years, would begin under international supervision, as would the opening of border crossings to facilitate the movement of people and goods.

An Arab view

Arab-American initiatives are underway to outline the principles for "the day after" in Gaza, with Arab states having submitted a draft—prepared by the Palestinian Authority—to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Drafted in English, it recommends "an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all Israeli hostages, the release of all Palestinian prisoners/detainees, and the cessation of all Israeli violations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem".

It also highlights "the prompt, safe, and sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid without hindrance to all vulnerable populations throughout the Gaza Strip, ensuring the safety of humanitarian workers and volunteers, addressing any barriers, and enabling and supporting UN agencies".

The document calls for "the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip within 21 days of the ceasefire".

It also proposes that "the Palestinian National Authority/State of Palestine assume full sovereign responsibilities, including political, economic, and security duties, in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, supported by Arab and international entities".

Overlooking Hamas

It specifies that "the Palestinian security institutions should be entrusted with maintaining security and order, enforcing the rule of law based on unified legislation, and establishing a single authority with exclusive control over the use of force".

Notably, it overlooks Hamas, which has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007, with its own governance structure, security apparatus, and military forces. Instead, it envisages the return of the Palestinian Authority and its institutions.

"The Palestinian Authority should resume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank under a comprehensive plan, in collaboration with regional and international partners, aimed at rebuilding, restructuring, developing, and enhancing its capacities.

"Unity within the Palestinian Authority is essential to ensure its effectiveness and readiness to fulfil its role across all Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip."

The Arab-US document suggests empowering the Palestinian government "within the framework of a comprehensive reform process, under favourable political, security, and economic conditions".

PA President Mahmoud Abbas would oversee the formation and initiation of this new government, with a view to unifying Palestinian institutions under a single authority with exclusive control over the use of force.

Dr Mohammed Mustafa, who was appointed to form a government commissioned by Abbas in March, gets backing from Arab countries.

The document discusses a "transitional government" in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip, with "responsibility for the international crossings with Egypt and Jordan, with international observers.

The new Palestinian government "should be empowered to manage its resources, collect customs duties, utilise its natural and water resources, oversee a population registry, issue citizenship and identity cards, facilitate family reunification, and implement economic development programmes, including the reconstruction of Gaza".

International support

Arab and international support is seen as important for the establishment of the PA in Gaza, but it would also need "international protection and peacekeeping forces in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, under a UN Security Council resolution mandate". This deployment would coincide with Israel's withdrawal.

Arab states continue to want Washington "to advance the two-state solution, grounded in UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative". This includes full recognition of the State of Palestine, with Palestine's full UN membership.

The Arab Peace Initiative, endorsed at the Arab League summit in March 2002, proposed normal relations with Israel in exchange for its withdrawal from the territories occupied in 1967.

The document also proposes "convening an international peace conference with the participation of various regional and international stakeholders to garner international support for implementing the two-state solution".

The call for an international conference and the deployment of international observers in the Palestinian territories were notable positions articulated at the recent Arab summit in Manama on 16 May 2024.

The document outlines its vision for the peace conference mandate: to "initiate negotiations on permanent status issues between the two sides, encompassing borders, security, Jerusalem, settlements, refugees, water, and prisoners/detainees".

It also suggests a donor conference aimed at "providing essential financial resources" to the Palestinians to support their security, administration, and economic recovery".

The document notes the need for "international backing… to facilitate the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. This includes proposing the establishment of an urgent international relief fund to address the humanitarian and living crises in the Strip."

Regional structure

The document delineates the actions needed from Palestinian, Arab, Israeli, and international actors. Importantly, it foresees the need for "a regional security framework to guarantee the security of Palestine and Israel".

The authors also talk of "establishing working groups and defining their mandate to negotiate final status issues: borders, security, Jerusalem, refugees, water, and prisoners/detainees."

Under the stipulations, Israel would undertake to "cease settlement expansion, adhere to the Aqaba/Sharm el-Sheikh understandings, refrain from confiscating Palestinian lands and evicting Palestinians from their homes, discontinue all violations of the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites, and honour the Hashemite custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, along with respecting the role of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf".

Additionally, it calls for Israel to "end all economic restrictions on the Palestinian economy in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, and cease all military operations in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem".

Undertaking commitments

Under this plan, the US would recognise the State of Palestine, facilitate its full UN membership, and normalise relations between the US and Palestine".

US support for UNRWA is currently constrained by Congressional legislation, but the document suggests the US "enhancing support" for the agency. It also calls for the reopening of the US consulate in East Jerusalem.

Donald Trump, who may be the next US president, ended funding for (and recognition of) Palestinian institutions and UN agencies working with Palestinians. He also relocated the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Arab countries should "back the Palestinian Authority/State of Palestine in its reform initiatives, endorse the new government, help in fostering Palestinian consensus, contribute to economic development and revitalisation plans for Palestine and the reconstruction of Gaza, and assist in the reform and modernisation of Palestinian state institutions and structures".

Likewise, the document suggests European countries "acknowledge the State of Palestine, support the peace plan, and endorse Palestinian reforms and plans for development, economic revitalisation, and reconstruction".

US details its position

American officials who have reviewed this "Arab vision" have outlined their own version in a two-page document comprising ten principles. Below is the draft text. It has not yet been officially approved by Arab authorities.

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The international community should assist the Palestinian people in reconstructing their lives in Gaza by making significant investments in humanitarian aid, reconstruction efforts, and economic development. This necessitates the opening of land crossings to Gaza and ensuring a continuous, unimpeded flow of humanitarian and reconstruction assistance. Gaza's neighboring countries must support and facilitate this process.

Entities that resort to violence or engage in terrorist attacks against civilians cannot govern or determine Gaza's future. All terrorist organizations and armed groups must disarm and renounce violence. Establishing a disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration mechanism is essential to facilitate this process in Gaza.

Israel should withdraw from Gaza without altering its borders or reoccupying the territory. There should be no forced displacement from Gaza, and Palestinians should have the right to return to all their communities in Gaza.

Ultimately, the West Bank and Gaza Strip should be reunited under the sole authority of the Palestinian Authority, encompassing both civil governance and security responsibilities. The transition to Palestinian-led governance will necessitate tailored arrangements and substantial support and contributions from international partners.

A lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the cessation of occupation can only be achieved through direct negotiations between Israel and the PLO that address final status issues. We strongly endorse efforts to restart negotiations on final status matters, aiming for a two-state solution where both peoples recognize each other and enjoy equal rights for all their citizens.

Palestinians deserve to live with dignity and security in their own independent, contiguous, and viable state, while Israelis deserve to live safely, accepted, recognized, and integrated into the region, within a negotiated two-state solution based on the June 4, 1967, borders with mutually agreed-upon exchanges. This solution should include a just and agreed resolution to the Palestinian refugee issue, as envisioned in the Arab Peace Initiative.

 Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict necessitates a coordinated regional endeavor. The potential normalization between Saudi Arabia, other Arab countries, and Israel, coupled with tangible advancements toward a two-state solution, offers a promising path to achieve peace, security, and regional integration that benefits all parties involved.

There must be an end to unilateral actions and violations by both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority that hinder progress towards a two-state solution. This includes halting settlement expansion, establishing outposts, and glorifying terrorism and violence. Both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority must uphold the rule of law, reject violence, and discourage incitement, whether from officials or the public.

The parties must uphold their commitments from previous agreements, including the Aqaba and Sharm el-Sheikh agreements of 2023, preserve the historical status quo at Jerusalem's holy sites, and acknowledge the special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. We acknowledge the profound spiritual connections of people from various faiths to Jerusalem, and the final borders of Jerusalem are to be determined through final status negotiations.

The Palestinian Authority must enact a comprehensive reform agenda centered on promoting good governance, transparency, combating corruption, and reforming education and social services.