AS the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza unfolds, questions remain about the future of the Strip, as well as the rest of the occupied territories, particularly their right to self-determination. Hamas, which ruled Gaza before the Israeli genocide began following the group’s 2023 attacks, has said it is ready to hand over power to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, the body of Palestinian technocrats formed under the Trumpian plan. Yet the issue of the group’s arms remains unresolved, and could remain a sticking point that could scuttle the ceasefire, which Israel has violated at will by killing hundreds of Palestinians since last October. Moreover, the Rafah crossing with Egypt is also due to open. But here too Tel Aviv has sinister plans; it reportedly wants to ease the exit of Palestinians from Gaza, but make their re-entry to their homeland from Egypt increasingly difficult. This supports the claim that Israel wants to ethnically cleanse the held territory. Also, Mr Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner unveiled a plan for a ‘New Gaza’ in Davos recently. Many have rightly asked if Palestinians will have a place at all in this garish real estate scheme, apart from roles of servitude.

The fact is that any long-term plans for Gaza or the rest of the occupied territories are meaningless unless they contain a clear roadmap for Palestinian statehood. Pakistan and the other Muslim states that have become ‘founder members’ of the Board of Peace must push for such a roadmap. In the current scenario, Israel will continue to occupy Gaza for an indefinite period, as long as it feels its ‘security’ is threatened. The events of 2023 occurred because Gaza had become an open-air ghetto, with Israel controlling all access and enforcing a suffocating siege. The answer lies not in fanciful plans to devour the Strip’s prime real estate, but in a clear path to viable Palestinian statehood.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2026