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Factbox-Gaza plans latest in a long history of peacemaking efforts

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on February 14, 2025

3 min read

· Last updated: January 26, 2026

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Gaza's peacemaking history and recent initiatives in the Middle East - Global Banking & Finance Review
A visual overview of Gaza's historical peace initiatives, highlighting significant moments and efforts in the Middle East peace process, relevant to current geopolitical discussions.
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(Reuters) - Arab states are scrambling to develop a realistic plan for Gaza's future as a counter to U.S. President Donald Trump's vision of the United States taking over the territory and its

Gaza's Future: A History of Middle East Peace Efforts

(Reuters) - Arab states are scrambling to develop a realistic plan for Gaza's future as a counter to U.S. President Donald Trump's vision of the United States taking over the territory and its Palestinian inhabitants being ejected to Egypt and Jordan.

Here are the main Middle East peace initiatives since the Six-Day war in 1967 when Israel seized the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the Sinai peninsula, the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights:

1967 - U.N. Security Council Resolution 242

U.N. calls for "withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict" in return for all states respecting one another's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

1978 - Camp David agreement

Israel and Egypt agree on a framework that leads in 1979 to a treaty requiring Israeli to withdraw from Sinai. It is the first peace deal between Israel and an Arab state.

1991 - Madrid summit

Representatives of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) attend a peace conference. No agreements are reached but the scene is set for direct contacts.

1993-95 - Oslo Accords

Israel and the PLO reach agreement in secret Norway talks for an interim peace deal, recognising each other's "mutual, legitimate and political rights". The deal calls for Palestinian elections and self government for a five-year transitional period, Israeli troop withdrawals and talks about a permanent settlement.

1994 - Israel-Jordan agreement

Jordan becomes the second Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel. But the treaty is unpopular and pro-Palestinian sentiment is widespread in Jordan.

2000 - Camp David summit

Israeli and Palestinian leaders meet in the United States but fail to agree. Another Palestinian uprising ensues.

2002 - Saudi Arabia presents an Arab League-endorsed peace plan for full Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory and Israel's acceptance of a Palestinian state in return for normal relations with Arab countries.

2007 - Annapolis summit

Palestinian and Israeli leaders again fail to reach a deal at a U.S.-hosted summit. A Gaza war in 2008 swiftly follows.

2009 - Netanyahu's Bar-Ilan address

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he would be prepared for a peace deal that includes the establishment of a demilitarised Palestinian state. He says Palestinians must recognise Israel as the "state of the Jewish people".

2020 - Abraham Accords

The leaders of Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain agree to normalise ties in September 2020. The following month, Israel and Sudan announce they will normalise relations, and Morocco establishes diplomatic ties with Israel in December.

(Compiled by Michael Georgy and Tala Ramadan; Editing by Angus McDowall and David Clarke)

Key Takeaways

  • Arab states are developing plans for Gaza's future.
  • Key peace initiatives date back to the 1967 Six-Day War.
  • The Oslo Accords marked a significant peace effort.
  • The Abraham Accords normalized ties between Israel and Arab states.
  • Past efforts have often failed to achieve lasting peace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main topic?
The article discusses historical and current Middle East peace initiatives, focusing on Gaza's future.
What are the Oslo Accords?
The Oslo Accords were agreements between Israel and the PLO in the 1990s for interim peace and Palestinian self-governance.
What are the Abraham Accords?
The Abraham Accords are agreements that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states starting in 2020.

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