What the plan promises
On Monday night, President Donald Trump outlined a 20-point plan aimed at ending the war in the Gaza Strip. He pledged an immediate ceasefire and the release of all Israeli hostages—alive and dead—within 72 hours. In exchange, Israel would gradually withdraw from much of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian prisoners would be freed, and humanitarian aid would be allowed to flow more freely. The proposal also calls for Hamas to be disarmed, and for its members who choose peaceful coexistence to be pardoned.
Central to the plan was the creation of a temporary Palestinian technocratic committee, backed by international experts, and a new transitional authority — described by Trump as a “Peace Authority” — to oversee the enclave. The idea, according to its architects, is to create a stable bridge from war to a more permanent political settlement.
Voices from the ground: cautious optimism
In Gazan towns like Deir al-Balah, people spoke of both relief and lingering worry. The exhaustion of years of bloodshed has left many longing for quiet and normalcy, but they fear the old cycles of violence could resume at any moment. “We need peace. It’s enough blood. We’ve endured two years of death, displacement and losses,” says Amira Ahmad, a 28-year-old mother of two who recently moved from Gaza City to central Gaza. Her ex-husband, a father to her children, was detained by Israel in the early stages of the war, and the family still does not know his whereabouts.
Amira, also known for organizing support for those in need, describes a shift in the prayers of Gazans. “Earlier we prayed: ‘May God grant us victory.’ Now people say: ‘May Netanyahu and Trump show mercy toward the people of Gaza,’” she explains, saying the sentiment underscores a deep sense of desperation but also a fragile hope for real change. She vows to redouble her welfare and community work once peace returns, turning a page from despair toward rebuilding.
Questions and concerns: who guarantees the path to peace?
Not everyone in Gaza is persuaded the plan offers a secure or lasting solution. Wisam Ayad, a 22-year-old journalist based in Deir al-Balah, questions what happens after the initial steps. “If Hamas hands over hostages and disarms, what happens next? Who guarantees that Israel will stop its attacks and withdraw its soldiers?” he asks, noting the plan feels to many as if it benefits Israel more than Gaza. Ayad fears that a ceasefire and prisoner release could come with a renewed risk of bloodshed and displacement if guarantees are not credible.
The plan states that no one would be forced to leave Gaza, with those wishing to emigrate allowed to do so and safe passage provided for those who want to return. Trump emphasized this voluntary framework and the goal of encouraging Gazans to stay and contribute to rebuilding the territory rather than abandoning it to renewed conflict.
The road ahead: hopes, risks and a fragile horizon
For some Gazans, the plan’s potential to end the siege and restore humanitarian access offers a rare glimmer of relief. Wisam Ayad remains cautiously hopeful: “If the fighting ends, Gaza, despite the destruction, could become one of the most beautiful places in the world.” Yet even those who decide to stay recognize that the consequences of the plan will be felt long after any immediate ceasefire. The reality of reconstruction, the safety of the population, and the political future of Gaza remain uncertain. The coming days will test whether the balance of promises and protections can translate into real, on-the-ground change.
Bottom line
Trump’s peace plan has sparked a complex mix of relief, skepticism and resolve among Gazans. While some see a path toward respite from violence and a chance to rebuild, others warn that without binding guarantees and robust international oversight, the plan risks becoming another pause in a protracted crisis. As negotiations unfold, the people of Gaza watch—and wait—with the hope that mercy may finally outpace bloodshed.
