A 10-point plan for Israel

This is an opinion piece published on Al Jazeera’s website on October 6, 2025. The author, Somdeep Sen, who wrote "Decolonizing Palestine: Hamas between the Anticolonial and the Postcolonial," is a Research Associate at the Center for Asian Studies in Africa at the University of Pretoria. We are reproducing the piece in full.

By Somdeep Sen

To pave the way for peace between Palestinians and Israelis, several crucial actions must be taken.

On Friday, Hamas responded to the "20-point Gaza peace plan" proposed by US President Donald Trump. Notably, the Palestinian group agreed to transfer control of Gaza to a technical administration and to release all Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

The US president welcomed this response and urged Israel to "immediately cease bombing." However, within 48 hours of Hamas’s response, Israeli attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 94 Palestinians in Gaza.

While the Trump plan may offer temporary relief for the Palestinians, it does not guarantee peace. Achieving peace requires a plan that also holds Israel accountable and addresses its actions.

Here is a 10-point plan for Israel:

The Israeli political landscape must be de-radicalized. Over the past two years, Israeli political leaders have actively supported genocide, celebrating the destruction of Palestinian lives in Gaza without repercussions. Programs promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence must be instituted within state institutions and the education system.
The Israeli military requires reform. The intentional targeting of Palestinian civilians and social media posts by Israeli soldiers mocking the destruction of Palestinian homes reflect a deep-seated dehumanization of Palestinians. There must be a concerted effort to develop a new military code of conduct aligned with international humanitarian law.
Israeli political and military leaders should face trial at the International Criminal Court. Evidence collected by forensic experts, civil society organizations, human rights groups, and activists could support legal proceedings.
Gaza must be opened. The blockade by land, air, and sea that has been in place since 2007 should end, allowing the free movement of people and goods.
An international observer or protective force should be deployed in Gaza to ensure compliance and prevent violations by both the Israeli military and extremists.
In accordance with the 2024 International Court of Justice ruling, Israel must halt and criminalize all settlement activities in the occupied West Bank, including activism and fundraising efforts.
The West Bank and Jerusalem must be demilitarized and deoccupied. This entails dismantling military infrastructure, checkpoints, watchtowers, and walls that restrict Palestinian rights.
Although the US plan requires Israel to release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 detainees, many Palestinians remain in custody without trial. There should be an immediate end to the policy of administrative detention and a broader plan to liberate those still imprisoned.
Israel must engage in negotiations regarding the Palestinians’ right of return, involving direct talks with Palestinians in Palestine and the diaspora, as well as with UN representatives and civil society groups familiar with the needs of Palestinian refugees.
Israel has significantly increased its public diplomacy efforts to gain international support, investing approximately $150 million in 2024 in campaigns, lobbying, and trips to Israel for various global leaders. An international panel should investigate whether these efforts violate the sovereignty and freedom of expression of other nations.

While it is unlikely that the Israeli government will pursue these recommendations willingly, global public opinion is shifting. The dominant Israeli narrative is being challenged, and more people are recognizing that the Palestinian issue involves broader regional concerns.

The Palestinian situation is deeply linked to the political dynamics in the Middle East and beyond. Only by addressing these larger issues and holding Israel accountable can we hope for a lasting peace.