Is this the end of war in Gaza? | BBC News

Key Concepts

• Gaza Ceasefire
• Two-State Solution
• One-State Solution
• Rebuilding Gaza
• Perpetual Conflict
• Phase One/Phase Two Negotiations
• Sharm el-Sheikh Statement

The Sharm el-Sheikh Statement and Initial Reactions The White House released the full statement signed by Donald Trump and regional leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, aimed at cementing the Gaza ceasefire. The statement calls for a lasting peace where both Palestinians and Israelis can prosper, with their fundamental human rights protected and security guaranteed. Egyptian President Abdul Fata al-Sisi, a signatory, interpreted the document as setting the stage for a two-state solution, envisioning Palestinians and Israelis living side by side.

President Trump's Perspective on Gaza and Peace Upon his return to Washington, President Trump was questioned by BBC State Department correspondent Tom Baitman on Air Force One. When asked about the discrepancy between his plan and President Sisi's call for a two-state solution, Trump emphasized his focus on "rebuilding Gaza." He explicitly stated, "I'm not talking about single state or double state or two-state. We're talking about the rebuilding of Gaza," adding that he had not commented on specific state solutions and "we'll have to see."

Regarding concerns that declaring peace for the whole Middle East might be premature, Trump dismissed the notion, referencing "3,000 years of peace" and questioning if critics desired "another 3-400,000 people to be killed." He asserted, "we did it the right way. We did it. I think our timing was perfect actually." For the "phase two" negotiations, Trump expressed confidence in the financial capacity of the participating nations, describing them as "really seriously rich countries" and noting that the United States, with "hundreds of billions of dollars" from tariffs, is now "the richest country in the world," implying these nations "can handle it."

King Abdullah of Jordan's Urgent Call for a Two-State Solution The summit in Egypt also featured King Abdullah of Jordan, whose country shares a border with Israel and the occupied West Bank, and where Palestinians constitute more than 50% of the population. King Abdullah, the longest-serving leader in the region, stressed that "a lasting peace is a personal and a national imperative." He warned Fergal Keen of BBC News that "If we don't solve this problem, we're going to be at it again. So, in my view, two-state solution is the only way forward." He further cautioned that the Middle East is "doomed" without a peace process leading to a Palestinian state alongside Israel and a relationship between the Arab/Muslim world and Israel.

King Abdullah highlighted significant unresolved issues, including physical recovery, mental trauma, and the challenge of governance in Gaza amidst a "political landscape devoid of trust." He mentioned optimism from those working closely with Hamas in Egypt that the group would abide by not being part of the political future.

Critique of Netanyahu's "Perpetual Conflict" Strategy The King expressed skepticism about achieving lasting peace with Prime Minister Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition in power, stating, "From my experiences, no." He argued that Netanyahu's group's "strategic endgame is perpetual conflict," which allows them to "stay in power." However, he acknowledged the presence of "peacebuilders" within Israel who seek to change the government's direction and with whom he believes work is possible.

Contrasting Views on a Palestinian State The interviewer noted that Prime Minister Netanyahu has pledged there would be no Palestinian state, citing Gaza's past as an "effectively Palestinian state" that "attacked us time and time again." King Abdullah underscored the critical importance of President Trump and his administration remaining engaged, particularly as negotiations move into "phase two," where "the devil's in the detail" and there's an "opportunity for mischief." Despite historical challenges that do not encourage hope, King Abdullah believes the current moment presents a "genuine possibility."

Conclusion The discussions following the Gaza ceasefire reveal a significant divergence in approaches to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East. While the Sharm el-Sheikh statement broadly calls for peace and security, President Trump's immediate focus is on the "rebuilding of Gaza," deliberately sidestepping the "two-state solution" debate. In stark contrast, King Abdullah of Jordan passionately advocates for the two-state solution as the "only way forward," viewing it as an existential imperative for the region and expressing deep concern over the current Israeli government's perceived strategy of "perpetual conflict." The path ahead involves complex "phase two" negotiations, where the details will be crucial, and continued engagement from international leaders, particularly the US, is deemed vital by regional stakeholders like King Abdullah.