- By: Dr. Muhammad Tayyab Khan Singhanvi (Ph.D)
U.S. President Donald Trump has presented a new and controversial plan regarding the longstanding Israel-Palestine conflict, under which he wants to establish American control over Gaza and reconstruct it from scratch. According to this plan, post-war Gaza will be turned into a modern, developed region under American patronage, which he refers to as the “Riviera of the Middle East.” The plan includes proposals to expel the current Palestinian population from Gaza and relocate them to countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Sudan, Morocco, Puntland, Somaliland, and Libya. It also talks about revoking their right of return. In other words, after reconstruction, the entire Palestinian territory would be handed over to Israel, and a full-fledged conspiracy to erase Palestine from the world map would be executed.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has strongly supported this plan, calling it the best solution in Israel’s interest, and the Israeli army has also been signaled to prepare for possible relocations. However, this plan has faced severe criticism at the international level. Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab countries have rejected it, considering it genocidal, while according to international legal experts, forcibly removing any nation from its homeland is a grave violation of human rights and international law. Palestinian organizations and the public have declared this plan a conspiracy against their existence. According to them, this plan is not only an attempt to strengthen the occupation of their land but also a conspiracy for their ethnic cleansing and displacement.
During Trump’s previous term, several unilateral actions were taken in favor of Israel, including recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Therefore, this new proposal is also being seen as a continuation of that same policy. In any case, under the current circumstances, the practical status, legal legitimacy, and ethical dimensions of this plan are under serious question, and it is being considered not a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict but an attempt to create a new conflict.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine is not merely a territorial dispute between two nations, but a complex issue tied to centuries of history, religious sensitivity, political interests, and the priorities of global powers. This issue has led the world to several wars, the displacement of millions, violations of human rights, and the sowing of religious hatred.
There is no easy solution to this problem, but in the eyes of the Islamic world and the majority of global powers, the “Two-State Solution” is a feasible, realistic, and just path. This solution unites the Palestinians’ right to self-determination, the security of the Israeli state, and the prospects for sustainable peace in the region.
Historically, the land of Palestine has been a cradle for various nations, religions, and civilizations for thousands of years. However, the modern crisis intensified when, in 1917, Britain supported the establishment of a “national home” for Jews in Palestine through the Balfour Declaration. In the subsequent decades, a large number of European Jewish immigrants moved to Palestine, which led to severe conflict with the local Arab population.
In 1948, the creation of Israel and the forced displacement of Palestinians (Nakba) turned this crisis into an international humanitarian issue. From 1948 to 1967, Palestinian lands gradually fell under Israeli control. As a result of the 1967 Arab-Israeli Six-Day War, Israel occupied the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. During this time, Palestinians organized their struggle under the PLO and strengthened their freedom movement based on their national identity.
The Oslo Accords of 1993–95 brought a glimmer of hope, where both parties agreed on future negotiations based on the two-state solution. However, ground realities, Israeli settlements, and lack of mutual trust prevented this process from advancing.
The term “Two-State Solution” represents a formula in which Israel and Palestine would be two separate, sovereign, and internationally recognized states. The legal and political structure of this solution is based on UN resolutions, Oslo Accords, and global diplomatic attitudes. Core issues in this framework include the status of Jerusalem, the right of return, border demarcation, and security.
Today, most countries, including the European Union, China, Russia, and even the United States, officially support the two-state solution, although contradictions exist within their policies. The current Israeli governments generally reject this solution or impose conditions that render it ineffective. Internal division within the Palestinian leadership has also been a challenge to this solution. The conflict between Hamas and Fatah has harmed national unity.
The Islamic world, especially the OIC and Arab League, has always supported the two-state solution. In recent OIC meetings, there have been repeated statements supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state, recognizing Jerusalem as its capital, and condemning Israeli aggression. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, and other countries have supported this solution at different levels, although some of them have also restored relations with Israel, which is condemned by Palestinian resistance groups.
Iran’s position is different. It considers Israel an illegitimate state and supports armed struggle for the complete liberation of Palestine. Iran backs Hamas, Hezbollah, and other resistance organizations and proposes a joint-state model instead of the two-state solution.
At the public level, there is deep sympathy for Palestine throughout the Islamic world. Palestine is considered oppressed, helpless, and the guardian of the First Qibla. Israeli atrocities, desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the martyrdom of children and women have wounded the hearts of ordinary Muslims. These sentiments are equally fueled by religious devotion, historical tradition, and humanitarian concern.
In current events, Israel has announced the construction of dozens of new settlements in the West Bank, which goes against the spirit of the two-state solution. The United Nations, the European Union, and human rights organizations have repeatedly declared these settlements violations of international law. On the other hand, economic crises, lack of basic facilities, and Israeli blockades in Palestinian areas have created a humanitarian crisis. Continuous Israeli attacks on Gaza in 2023, 2024, and 2025 have taken thousands of lives and destroyed infrastructure.
In such an environment, the need for a two-state solution has become greater than ever before. The establishment of an independent Palestinian state would not only be justice for the Palestinians but also essential for sustainable peace in the Middle East.
But there are several obstacles on this path:
- Israel’s settlement policy
- America’s unbalanced support
- Internal discord in Palestinian leadership
- Lack of practical unity in the Muslim world
Despite these obstacles, the Islamic world can adopt an effective strategy:
- Political unity:
The OIC and Arab League must move beyond mere resolutions and form an active diplomatic front. Palestinian leadership should be persuaded to internal unity, and relations with Israel should be made conditional on the two-state solution. - Economic and financial aid:
Financial support to Palestine, educational and healthcare projects, employment generation, and international investment initiatives can strengthen Palestinian society. - Legal and moral pressure:
Lawsuits against Israel in the International Court of Justice and human rights councils, boycott campaigns, and shaping public opinion through media can serve as key tools.
Among practical steps, the most effective would be an international peace conference modeled on the United Nations, in which the Islamic world, Western powers, Israel, and Palestinian leadership all participate and agree on a final framework for resolution.
Ultimately, although the Israel-Palestine conflict has persisted for decades, the “Two-State Solution” remains the only realistic, acceptable, and viable path to a permanent resolution. The Islamic world must support this solution not just rhetorically, but through concrete actions. The establishment of a Palestinian state, guarantees for Israel’s security, international pressure, and unity within the Islamic world can together lay the foundation for a new future one that brings peace, development, and justice not just for Israel and Palestine but for the entire Middle East.
Islam’s message is based on justice, mercy, and human fraternity, and these very principles can be the key to solving this historic conflict.