A plan by US President Donald Trump for Gaza is "the only way to get to a rapid ceasefire", one expert has told Behind the Story.
The White House released the 20-point plan that calls for a ceasefire, a swap of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a staged Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian enclave, Hamas disarmament and a transitional government led by an international body.
Professor of International Law at the University of Cambridge Marc Weller says there is broad support for the plan.
"All Arab-Islamic states, other than Iran, all the European states – everybody has endorsed the plan", he said.
"Not because it is so realistic in terms of rapid implementation – which I think will be problematic – but because it’s seen as the only way to get to a rapid ceasefire.
"It is a kind of desperation to say, this is the only thing on the table."
Prof Weller believes the extrication of Hamas is unlikely to happen.
"The idea that there will be an instant force on the ground, if there is an Israeli withdrawal, that just is not going to happen, I think," he said.
"So that leaves the possibility that, in fact, Hamas will remain in control of significant areas if Israel withdraws from them.
"And the other idea that Hamas will be instantly disarmed – and will not only be transformed into some sort of civil authority – but will give up all participation in civil authority, also is something that normally takes months and years to achieve.
"The idea that Hamas is just non-existent once you snap your fingers and sign a deal is probably not quite right."
Read more: Hamas calls for swift hostage-prisoner swap before talks
Prof Weller says there are questions over where this plan leaves the idea of a two-state solution.
"Palestinians are worried that actually Palestine will now be divided into one Gaza [and] one West Bank territory – and that there is no real prospect for a peace process leading to this two-state solution," he said.
"The only reference to a future peace process is a very weak formula that doesn’t promise a timeframe."
Prof Weller says while the plan is "extremely ambitious", it has yet to be seen "how this could all happen at this rapid pace if the sides indeed agree to the deal".
Israel launched its Gaza offensive, which has killed more than 66,000 people, after Hamas militants staged a cross-border attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 people hostage.
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