Ambassador Masood Khan Calls Gaza Ceasefire A Moment Of Cautious Optimism

Islamabad, (Parliament Times) : Sardar Masood Khan, Pakistan’s former Ambassador to the United States, China, and the United Nations, and former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, welcomed the cessation of hostilities in Gaza under the recently signed 20-point peace framework while urging the international community to remain vigilant and realistic about its implementation and long-term impact.
commenting on U.S. President Donald Trump’s address to the Israeli Knesset and ahead of the upcoming peace conference in Sharm el-Sheikh — co-chaired by President Trump and Pakistan’s Prime Minister — Ambassador Khan described the development as “a moment of cautious optimism—of both relief and reflection.”
He noted that while visuals of celebrations in Tel Aviv, Ramallah, and Khan Yunus reflect relief and hope, they also reveal the deep scars of genocide, destruction, and displacement suffered by the Palestinian people. “Today, the genocide has come to a halt. It may be a pause — or a turning point — but for now, the guns have fallen silent,” he said.
Ambassador Khan emphasized that the peace plan — co-signed by Israel and Hamas with the United States as guarantor — represents the first phase of a longer process that must eventually lead to Palestinian sovereignty and self-determination. “The real test lies ahead — whether Palestinians will be granted genuine authority, representation, and control over their homeland,” he cautioned. He raised critical questions about the proposed Board of Peace and the interim governance structure: “Will the Palestinians be participants or spectators in their own future? Will Gaza be rebuilt for its displaced citizens — or transformed into a geopolitical project for others?”
Commenting on the massive reconstruction plans for Gaza, estimated at tens of billions of dollars, Ambassador Khan noted that while humanitarian rebuilding is vital, “we must ensure Gaza is not turned into a commercial Riviera for outsiders but restored as the rightful home of the Palestinian people.” He also drew attention to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s categorical rejection of a sovereign Palestinian state, calling it “a stark reminder that peace without justice cannot endure.”
Reflecting on Pakistan’s contribution, Ambassador Khan lauded Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts led by the Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff. “Pakistan has played a proactive and principled role in promoting peace in the Middle East and halting genocide in Gaza. Its leadership in facilitating dialogue has been widely recognized and appreciated,” he said.
On the evolving geopolitical landscape, Ambassador Khan highlighted the ambiguity surrounding President Trump’s reported conditional approval for Hamas to rearm for a limited period. “This is a pragmatic recognition of ground realities. Without engaging Hamas, there can be no sustainable peace or stability in Gaza in the first phase of the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan,” he said, noting that the group’s total exclusion from future governance could destabilize the region.
Ambassador Khan also noted the dual tone of President Trump’s addresses — one in Tel Aviv and another anticipated in Sharm el-Sheikh. “While the first was celebratory, focusing on Israel’s victory, the second must strike a more balanced note. The Sharm el-Sheikh conference, with the participation of eight Muslim countries including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, offers a unique opportunity to reaffirm peace based on justice,” he added.
He warned, however, that uncertainty persists: “Israel’s history of reneging on accords and the unresolved questions about Palestinian sovereignty, rehabilitation, and governance leave the peace process fragile. This cannot be another Oslo — high on promise, hollow in outcome.”
Ambassador Khan acknowledged the shift in global sentiment, with countries such as Ireland, Spain, and Portugal formally recognizing the State of Palestine. Yet, he cautioned that many Western governments have done so out of domestic political pressure rather than moral conviction. “Their citizens have forced their hands, not their consciences,” he observed.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Masood Khan urged sustained international engagement, transparency in implementation, and unity among Muslim nations. “Let us celebrate the pause in violence, but not mistake it for peace. True peace will come only when Palestine stands free — sovereign, contiguous, and whole.”