Trump’s 21-Point Gaza Peace

A Six-Month Outlook; Trump’s 21-Point Gaza Peace Plan and U.S.–Pakistan Naval Engagement

Introduction

The Middle East and South Asia are experiencing simultaneous moments of strategic importance. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a 21-point framework to end the Gaza war and create a roadmap for Palestinian self-governance. At the same time, U.S. naval vessels have conducted high-profile port calls in Karachi, sparking speculation about deeper cooperation with Pakistan. This article outlines a possible six-month, step-by-step trajectory for both tracks.

1. The First Two Months (Immediate De-Escalation)

Gaza Peace Plan

• Negotiations center on a mutual ceasefire between Israel and armed groups in Gaza.

• International mediators—Egypt, Qatar, the U.S.—focus on the release of hostages and humanitarian corridors.

• An interim administrative team begins to take shape, with limited Palestinian Authority (PA) involvement under Arab League oversight.

U.S.–Pakistan Naval Relations

• The recent U.S. destroyer visit to Karachi is followed by tabletop exercises and small-scale joint drills.

• Both navies emphasize counter-piracy, search-and-rescue, and anti-narcotics operations rather than combat missions.

• Pakistan’s leadership uses the visits to signal balanced relations between Washington, Beijing, and Gulf partners.

2. Months Three and Four (Transitional Governance and Confidence Building)

Gaza Peace Plan

• If the ceasefire holds, Israel begins a phased withdrawal from parts of Gaza while maintaining a security buffer.

• A multi-national security force composed of vetted Palestinian units and Arab contingents deploys to key crossings.

• Donor conferences convene in Europe or the Gulf to pledge billions for Gaza’s reconstruction, contingent on administrative reforms.

U.S.–Pakistan Naval Relations

• Pakistan Navy officers participate in U.S. training programs and ship-rider exchanges.

• Discussions begin on a joint maritime coordination cell in the Arabian Sea for information sharing on smuggling and illegal fishing.

• Confidence-building measures extend to port security and disaster-response planning.

3. Months Five and Six (Laying the Long-Term Foundations)

Gaza Peace Plan

• A reformed Palestinian Authority—or a new technocratic council—assumes civil administration of Gaza under international supervision.

• The U.S. and Arab states unveil a political horizon: a conditional pathway to a demilitarized Palestinian state within a defined timeframe if security benchmarks are met.

• Disarmament of Hamas’s heavy weaponry begins under third-party monitoring, paired with economic incentives and amnesties.

U.S.–Pakistan Naval Relations

• Large-scale joint naval exercises simulate humanitarian evacuation and maritime interdiction.

• Talks on a memorandum of understanding for continued port visits and logistical support are finalized.

• Both sides use the partnership to improve regional maritime security without drawing Pakistan into wider U.S.–Iran tensions.

Opportunities and Risks

• For Gaza: The plan can only work if all sides accept incremental steps. Spoilers—extremist attacks or political crises in Israel or the Palestinian territories—could derail progress.

• For Pakistan: Balancing U.S. naval cooperation with its ties to China and Gulf states remains crucial. A perception of alignment with U.S. military aims in the Middle East could spark domestic criticism.

Conclusion

Over the next six months, a phased approach could reduce violence in Gaza, build a foundation for Palestinian self-governance, and enhance Pakistan’s maritime ties with the U.S. without compromising its strategic autonomy. Success will depend on disciplined implementation, transparent timelines, and regional buy-in.

Syed Ali Raza Naqvi Bukhari

Unity of Peace, Economic Reform, and Global Unity

Founder & Chairman of Tehreek Istehkam Pakistan, and the author of “Law of God” and “Social Democratic System.” Advocates for truth, social justice, and reform in all sectors of society.