Politics Weekly UK Trump’s fragile ceasefire plan: what next for Gaza?
Oct 15, 2025
Patrick Wintour, the diplomatic editor at The Guardian, dives into the complexities of the Gaza ceasefire and the gaps in Trump's fragile peace plan. He discusses the rapid negotiations and why they gained momentum, emphasizing regional shifts and the theatricality of diplomatic summits. Wintour also highlights the challenges of Palestinian governance and the urgent needs for reconstruction. Alongside these insights, the conversation touches on the implications of the Chinese spying case and shifts in UK party dynamics.
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Deal Is Largely Principles, Not Infrastructure
- The Trump-brokered plan is mainly a 20-point statement of principles without the institutions to implement it.
- Patrick Wintour warns the deal is extremely fragile because key bodies and forces are not yet in place.
Momentum Over Detail Shaped The Process
- Trump enforced speed and momentum, giving negotiators 72 hours for responses and hostage releases.
- That impatience accelerated the process but increased the risk of errors and gaps, says Patrick Wintour.
Three Shifts Made The Deal Possible
- Three factors aligned: Arab states' push to sideline Hamas, a shift away from mass relocations, and a plan linking Palestinian and Israeli assurances.
- These intellectual shifts made a broader deal conceivable, according to Wintour.