The latest US-sponsored peace plan for the Middle East was unveiled at the White House on 29 September, and immediately accepted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The proposal, which US President Donald Trump said marked a “historic” moment that was “very close” to ending the two-year-old war in Gaza, will now go to Hamas. The Palestinian group said it was reviewing the document, having had it delivered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

Should it be accepted, hostilities would end “immediately,” according to the plan. But given that all previous US-backed attempts have to date failed, there is reason for skepticism.

Asher Kaufman, an expert on the modern Middle East and professor of peace studies at the University of Notre Dame, explains what is different about this plan

See Full Page