The Global Story Can Trump’s Gaza plan turn a ceasefire into permanent peace?
Nov 25, 2025
Yolande Knell, a seasoned BBC Middle East correspondent, delves into the nuances of Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza. She discusses the UN's backing of the plan and its implications for a long-term ceasefire. The challenges facing aid access and Israel's territorial control are examined, along with concerns about Hamas's resilience and disarmament. Knell highlights the mixed outcomes of current negotiations and offers a glimpse of everyday life returning to Gaza, revealing both hope and risks in the search for lasting peace.
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UN Backing Gives Plan Legitimacy
- The UN Security Council endorsed Trump's 20-point Gaza blueprint, giving it international legitimacy.
- The plan still leaves many core issues unresolved, notably disarming Hamas and governance arrangements.
Tunnel Fighters Spark Early Ceasefire Test
- A week into the ceasefire Hamas-linked fighters in Rafah emerged from tunnels and killed Israeli soldiers, testing the truce.
- Mediators intervened and negotiations began to extract those underground fighters amid Israeli strikes.
Early Steps Achieved, Next Phases Pending
- The ceasefire's initial steps included troop withdrawal, hostage returns, and prisoner releases but some terms remain incomplete.
- Progress to later phases depends on unresolved actions like handing back all bodies and activating new governance structures.