The 20-point plan for Gaza recently proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump has been met with serious skepticism from Palestinians in the territory, who believe that Washington has long lost credibility in bringing peace to the war-torn enclave.
Hamas has now 72 hours to respond to this proposal, to which Trump said he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed in their talks at the White House on Monday.
The U.S.-proposed plan combines a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, phased Israeli withdrawal, and international oversight on Gaza's reconstruction and governance after the end of the conflict.
For those in Gaza who have learned about the plan that Trump says will help end the Hamas-Israeli conflict, they still have doubt about its effects and the sincerity and consistency in the Trump administration's decision-making.
"This is entirely a conspiracy by the U.S. against the Palestinian people. Now the negotiators no longer consider the interests of the Palestinian people. This plan is essentially Netanyahu's conception. Ultimately, they only care about seizing what they want and inflict more blows to the Palestinian people," said Salem Abu Hadaf, a resident of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.
"Ever since Trump started his term in office, he has claimed that his plans are to bring peace and a ceasefire to Gaza. But so far, those plans we have seen had no credibility at all. They were just false promises with zero substance. Frankly speaking, there have been no word of truth delivered in his plans. What we have seen are completely the opposite," said Abu Sharif Jundia, another Deir al-Balah resident.
"There are many concerns about the decisions of the Trump administration because we have long been accustomed to its inconsistency and flip-flopping. For example, something said today can be changed the next day," said Deir al-Balah resident Abu Tariq Hamduna.
Some said what they care the most is whether Trump's peace plan, or any other plan, will truly return freedom and dignity to Gazans.
their main concern is whether this plan can truly bring them freedom and dignity.
"We look forward to a political solution of importance. Whether it is a 'two-state solution' or a similar proposal, it should be based on the simplest things we desire most -- freedom, dignity, justice, and equality. Because for the past two years and even much a longer time in the past, we have been suffering all these hardships all along," said Hamza Al-Ajla, another Gazan in Deir al-Balah.
Palestinians doubt Trump administration's credibility in bringing peace to Gaza
Palestinians doubt Trump administration's credibility in bringing peace to Gaza
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
