Reactions to a newly proposed peace plan for Gaza are varied among international political figures. Armin Laschet, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the German Bundestag, lauded the plan as “a diplomatic masterpiece” citing widespread support from across the Arab and Muslim world alongside Israel. He suggested the proposal, potentially echoing the principles of the Abraham Accords, holds the potential for lasting regional peace. Laschet emphasized that the ultimate responsibility for ending the suffering in Gaza now rests with Hamas, the group initiating the conflict with an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
However, the Left Party has expressed considerable skepticism. Jan van Aken, one of the party’s co-leaders, cautioned against viewing the initiative as a genuine path to peace. He argued that a figure like President Trump is unlikely to transition into a peace broker without pursuing underlying interests and questioned the plan’s longevity and its contribution to a true reconciliation process. Van Aken stressed the importance of collaborative negotiations involving all stakeholders, rather than impositions from external actors.
Broad support for the Gaza peace plan extends beyond the United States and Israel, encompassing numerous Arab and Muslim nations, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan. The Palestinian Authority has also voiced its support for the plan’s acceptance. Hamas has offered cautious responses thus far, while the Palestinian Islamic Jihad has categorically rejected the agreement. The international community remains divided in its assessment of the proposal’s viability and potential impact.