This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler The Gaza Peace Plan – What you need to know
Oct 8, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Gregg Carlstrom, a Middle East correspondent for The Economist, dives into the complexities of the US-led Gaza peace plan. He explores why this plan is garnering serious attention, highlighting its all-encompassing approach to hostage release. Gregg examines the challenges of disarming Hamas and the political dynamics within Israel, including the impact on Netanyahu's government. Despite regional skepticism, he finds cautious optimism in potential US engagement and the hope for humanitarian relief, while emphasizing three crucial unresolved questions.
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US Pressure And A Single-Stage Exchange
- The Trump plan is different because the US is actively pressuring Israel and proposing a comprehensive, immediate phase-one exchange.
- It envisions all hostages released within 72 hours, a halt to war, massive aid and a new governing authority backed by peacekeepers.
Board Of Peace And Unclear Troop Contributions
- The plan splits Gaza into civilian governance and a military peacekeeping component overseen by a Board of Peace chaired by Trump.
- Tony Blair is invited and Arab troop contributions are currently unclear and tentative.
Hostage Numbers Deepen The Stakes
- Israeli intelligence estimates only about 20 of the remaining 48 hostages are alive, making any deal emotionally and politically fraught.
- Negotiations in Egypt are focused on logistics like timing and the condition of released hostages.