Writing over social network ‘X’, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has acknowledged that the 20-point plan announced yesterday “could be the starting point for a just and lasting peace.”
“I welcome President Donald Trump’s initiative to end the war in Gaza, which embodies principles that Portugal has always supported. The Israeli Prime Minister’s openness, the involvement of Arab and European partners, and the receptiveness of the international community are signs of hope,” he said.
The US plan, published today by the White House, involves the creation of a committee to oversee the transition in Gaza, from which no residents will be forcibly displaced. This committee would be chaired by Donald Trump, and involve figures such as former British prime minister Tony Blair.
The plan provides, in particular, for the immediate end of the war triggered in Gaza by the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces and the disarmament of Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.
Agreed upon by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it still needs to be approved by Hamas – and indeed accepted by the hardline right-wing members propping up Mr Netanyahu’s government.
A number of commentators have said that the latter potentially poses “the ultimate deal breaker”, but there is a twist too in the way forwards. At the news conference given in the White House yesterday, Mr Trump said that if Hamas fails to live up to the agreement or refuses to accept it, Israel would have his full backing to “do what you would have to do”, ie ‘finish the job’ against Hamas.
This promise may be enough for Netanyahu to be able to persuade the far-right members in his government to support the plan, say observers.
Thus, with so many countries already giving the concept their ‘blessing’, there is still a very long road to run.
Source material: Lusa/ BBC/
