U.S.-Brokered Gaza Peace Plan Faces Major Challenges

The initial phase of the U.S.-brokered Gaza peace plan was implemented in October 2025. It established a ceasefire and enabled humanitarian aid and prisoner exchanges. However, deeper issues remain unresolved. The plan’s later phases—demilitarization, security, governance, and reconstruction—face obstacles. The fragile ceasefire and ongoing disputes show the complexity of achieving lasting peace in Gaza.

Phase One – Ceasefire and Humanitarian Relief

The first phase began with a ceasefire on 10 October 2025. Hamas released 20 Israeli hostages. Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) withdrew to agreed lines, pulling back from major urban areas. Humanitarian aid started flowing into Gaza but remains insufficient. Aid deliveries are limited to around 300 trucks daily, half the agreed amount. The Rafah crossing with Egypt remains closed, forcing aid through Israeli-controlled points. Severe infrastructure damage and security risks hinder aid distribution. Northern Gaza faces famine and extreme hardship.

Phase Two – Demilitarization and Security Issues

Phase two demands Hamas disarmament and security arrangements. Hamas resists full disarmament, insisting on retaining light arms for self-defence. It may consider handing over heavy weapons to a third party. Hamas links disarmament to political concessions, including Palestinian statehood. Israel and the U.S. demand unconditional disarmament. An International Stabilization Force is planned to maintain security. Countries like Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey are potential contributors. Details on troop numbers and funding remain uncertain. The lack of clear timelines and conditions complicates progress.

Phase Three – Governance and Reconstruction Challenges

The final phase involves governance reforms and rebuilding Gaza. The plan excludes Hamas from governance, proposing a technocratic committee and eventual Palestinian Authority (PA) involvement after reforms. Hamas rejects this, claiming Palestinian self-rule is essential. The PA is widely viewed as weak and corrupt by Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu opposes Palestinian statehood and PA involvement. Reconstruction requires over $70 billion and decades of aid. Gaza’s economy is devastated, with massive unemployment and displacement of skilled workers. Political uncertainty hampers recovery efforts.

Key Obstacles and Unresolved Issues

The return of deceased Israeli hostages’ bodies remains a major dispute. Hamas has not returned all remains within the agreed timeframe. Israel has reduced aid in response. Delays in aid worsen the humanitarian crisis. The plan’s vague language on statehood and political settlement leaves the future uncertain. The Palestinian Authority was excluded from negotiations, undermining Palestinian self-determination. The ceasefire’s fragility means renewed conflict remains a risk if conditions are unmet. The IDF has warned it will resume operations if Hamas fails to comply.

Humanitarian Situation and Aid Delivery

Aid organisations face severe challenges reaching civilians. Damaged roads, fuel shortages, and security threats block distribution. Looting and theft reduce aid effectiveness. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is restricted from entering Gaza. Winter’s approach increases urgency for shelter and supplies. The humanitarian crisis remains dire despite the ceasefire, with millions in need of assistance.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Discuss the role of international mediation in conflict resolution, with examples from the U.S.-brokered Gaza peace plan and other global peace efforts.
2. Critically examine the challenges of post-conflict reconstruction in war-torn regions, denoting economic, political, and social factors.
3. Explain the significance of humanitarian aid in conflict zones and analyse the obstacles to effective aid delivery in Gaza.
4. With suitable examples, discuss the complexities of disarmament and security arrangements in peace negotiations and their impact on long-term stability.

Answer Hints:

1. Discuss the role of international mediation in conflict resolution, with examples from the U.S.-brokered Gaza peace plan and other global peace efforts.

1. International mediation facilitates dialogue between conflicting parties who may not directly communicate.
2. The U.S.-brokered Gaza peace plan involved multiple mediators – U.S., Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, showing multilateral engagement.
3. Mediation helped establish a ceasefire, hostage exchange, and partial aid flow, demonstrating initial success.
4. Other examples include the Camp David Accords (U.S. mediation between Egypt and Israel) and the Dayton Agreement (U.S. mediation in Bosnia).
5. Mediation can help manage immediate crises but often struggles with deep-rooted political and security issues, as seen in Gaza’s unresolved phases.
6. Challenges include differing agendas of mediators, lack of full stakeholder inclusion (e.g., Palestinian Authority excluded), and enforcement of agreements.

2. Critically examine the challenges of post-conflict reconstruction in war-torn regions, denoting economic, political, and social factors.

1. Economic devastation – Gaza’s GDP plummeted; UN estimates 350 years to recover to pre-war levels without intervention.
2. Massive funding needs – Over $70 billion required for rebuilding infrastructure and services.
3. Political instability – Disputed governance (Hamas vs. PA), lack of consensus, and external opposition hinder reconstruction efforts.
4. Social disruption – Displacement of skilled workers weakens recovery capacity; widespread poverty and unemployment exacerbate hardship.
5. Security concerns – Ongoing tensions and fragile ceasefire limit safe reconstruction activities and deter investment.
6. Coordination difficulties – Multiple actors with competing interests complicate aid delivery and project implementation.

3. Explain the significance of humanitarian aid in conflict zones and analyse the obstacles to effective aid delivery in Gaza.

1. Humanitarian aid provides essential food, water, medicine, shelter, and relief to vulnerable populations during and after conflict.
2. In Gaza, aid is crucial due to destroyed infrastructure, displacement, and famine conditions, especially with winter approaching.
3. Obstacles include restricted crossings (Rafah closed, reliance on Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom), limiting volume and speed of deliveries.
4. Security risks, damaged roads, fuel shortages, and inspection delays hamper distribution within Gaza.
5. Looting and theft reduce aid effectiveness, with only about 20% of aid reaching intended recipients.
6. Political disputes, such as Israel reducing aid flow due to Hamas’s failure to return bodies, worsen the crisis.

4. With suitable examples, discuss the complexities of disarmament and security arrangements in peace negotiations and their impact on long-term stability.

1. Disarmament is central to reducing violence but is politically sensitive, as armed groups see weapons as leverage and security guarantees.
2. In Gaza, Hamas resists full disarmament, willing only to consider handing over heavy weapons but retaining light arms for self-defense.
3. Security arrangements include planned International Stabilization Force (ISF) with multinational troops, but details on contributors and funding remain unclear.
4. Conditional and vague timelines for disarmament and withdrawal create uncertainty, risking renewed conflict if expectations are unmet.
5. Examples – Northern Ireland peace process required phased disarmament linked to political progress; failure to disarm can cause ceasefire breakdowns.
6. Successful security arrangements depend on trust-building, clear mandates, and inclusion of all relevant actors to ensure sustainable peace.