Ceasefire is Just a Pause – Real Peace Needs Palestinian Freedom
The guns in Gaza are silent for now, but without a clear plan for Palestinian statehood, the fighting will likely return.
The recent US-backed ceasefire has stopped the fighting in Gaza, but it does not solve the real problem: the lack of a clear path to Palestinian sovereignty.
While US President Donald Trump presents himself as a peacemaker, his plan focuses only on short-term steps like sending international forces and creating a temporary government in Gaza. It avoids the most important question—whether Palestinians will ever get their own independent state.
What’s Missing in the “Peace Plan”
- No Commitment to Statehood: Trump refused to support a two-state solution, saying only, “We’ll have to see.”
- No Accountability: His speech in Israel ignored Palestinian suffering and avoided any mention of investigating civilian deaths.
- No Long-Term Vision: The plan deals with logistics but doesn’t address Palestinian rights, freedom, or sovereignty.
Why This Matters
A ceasefire can save lives temporarily, but it doesn’t resolve the deeper issues:
- Israeli control over Palestinian land
- Millions of Palestinians living without basic rights
- Gaza’s destruction and ongoing blockade
Without a real political solution—one that includes Palestinian statehood—the cycle of violence will continue.
The World Is Moving Ahead
Many countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal, have recently recognized Palestine as a state at the UN. They understand that lasting peace requires two states—Israel and Palestine—living side by side.
But Trump’s plan ignores this global consensus. By not supporting Palestinian statehood, it gives Israel a green light to continue its occupation.
What Real Peace Would Require
A lasting solution must include:
- A freeze on Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories
- A step-by-step handover of power to a Palestinian government
- A clear timeline toward independence based on international law
Without these steps, the ceasefire is just a pause—not peace.
Conclusion
The ceasefire is a relief for people in Gaza, but it is not enough. Until Palestinians have the same rights and freedoms as others—including the right to their own state—true peace will remain out of reach.
Source: Analysis by Luciano Zaccara, October 16, 2025.
Luciano Zaccara is Research Assistant Professor in Gulf Politics at the Qatar University, Gulf Studies Center, Qatar, and Director of the Observatory on Politics and Elections in the Arab and Muslim World in Spain.
