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By any measure, the recent developments in Gaza mark a pivotal moment in the region’s long and painful history. And while cynics may scoff and skeptics may roll their eyes, it is time to acknowledge what must be said plainly: US President Donald Trump deserves credit for his bold and determined efforts to broker peace in Gaza.

Two years after countless failed initiatives, the current US-led push — chaired personally by the president as head of the newly formed Board of Peace — seems to be not just another diplomatic gesture with a fancy name. It has all the attributes of a serious, high-stakes undertaking that, if supported and sustained, could finally begin to reverse the devastation that has plagued the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian people.

Is the plan perfect? Far from it. Could it fail? There is definitely a high risk, given the many spoilers. With an extremist, trigger-happy Israeli government still in power, and a not-so-encouraging track record of Hamas, the road ahead is treacherous. But perfection is not the measure of progress. And repeating the same failed UN mechanisms while expecting different results is, as the famous quote says, the definition of insanity. I say this while fully and wholeheartedly wishing that the reality was otherwise. The reality is, unfortunately, that this is more a case of the Arabic proverb which says “and so cure it with what caused the illness to start with.”

In other words, this is a matter of resorting to America precisely because President Trump is the dealmaker that he is, Washington has the leverage and the trust of Israel, and that everything else has failed so far.

My point is having a plan, with all its faults, is far better than allowing the killing to continue as a result of having no plan. Besides, pleasing everyone is an illusion and a recipe for failure in itself.

Even within the same political camps, reactions are and will continue to be divided. In Israel, some see the initiative as a lifeline for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — a way to climb down from a tree he has been perched on for far too long. Others argue it unjustly rewards Hamas, whose refusal to surrender has come at the expense of thousands of innocent lives and the near-total destruction of Gaza.

On the Palestinian side, the sentiment is understandably bitter. For many, this effort feels like “too little, too late.” After tens of thousands of deaths, widespread famine and what a UN agency has now labeled genocide, the scars are deep and trust is thin. Yet among Hamas ranks, the narrative is spun as a victory — proof that they have not capitulated. This, of course, ignores the staggering human toll of their obstinance.

The horrors of Oct. 7 and the Israeli genocide committed since must serve as a wake-up call. The region cannot afford another cycle of vengeance and victimhood. 

Faisal J. Abbas | Editor-in-Chief

But these debates, while important, must not distract from the larger truth: Trump is not just paying lip service, but is now fully invested as the chairperson of this peace initiative. That matters. It matters because it places real pressure on all parties, including Israel, to honor commitments. And it matters because it limits Netanyahu’s ability to maneuver or escape accountability under the guise of security concerns.

Arab and Muslim nations have, to their credit, rallied behind the initiative. Their support is both morally necessary and strategically wise. But let us not be lulled into premature celebration. The war is not over. The suffering is not over. And the peace is far from being won.

Labeling this effort as anything less than sincere and serious would be a disservice to the cause of peace. Yes, it is fresh. Yes, it is fragile. But that fragility demands our full support — not just in words, but in action. Humanitarian aid must flow freely. Food, shelter, and medical supplies must reach those in need before winter deepens the crisis.

This is not the time for political posturing or ideological purity tests. It is the time for pragmatism, compassion, and rapid resolve.

If we are truly committed to ensuring that what happened in Gaza never happens again, then talk of a two-state solution must follow immediately. Not eventually. Not “when the time is right.” But now — as that is the only logical and just way to safeguard against another future atrocity.

The horrors of Oct. 7 and the Israeli genocide committed since must serve as a wake-up call. The region cannot afford another cycle of vengeance and victimhood. The international community must push for a viable, just, and enforceable resolution that guarantees security for Israelis and protection, statehood, and dignity for Palestinians.

President Trump’s initiative may not be perfect, but it is a start. And in a region where starts are rare and hope is often fleeting, that alone is worth applauding. The question now is whether Israel and Hamas will rise to meet this moment — or squander it, as they have so many times before.

Let us hope, for the sake of Gaza and for the future of the region, that they choose wisely.

• Faisal J. Abbas is the Editor-in-Chief of Arab News. X: @FaisalJAbbas