Israel helped shape the Trump plan and pushed for several amendments that were featured in the final draft presented to Arab mediators, according to a Wall Street Journal report on Tuesday.
On Monday, the White House announced Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan, which was handed over to Hamas via Egypt and Qatar. Hamas said he would consider the proposal before responding.
The document calls for an immediate ceasefire and return of all prisoners within 72 hours of acceptance in exchange for the release of 250 Palestinians and about 1,700 others who have been serving life sentences since October 7, 2023.
It also calls for a halt of air and artillery operations while the swap progresses and links Israel’s withdrawal to Gaza’s “demilitarization.” Language critics say that Israel’s security is prioritized over Palestinian rights.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the plan as “historical” and potentially “historical” despite Palestinian leaders and rights groups warning that the vague nods of self-determination lacked nationality and risked legalizing further occupations.
Many Palestinians see the promise of “derailed and economic” Gaza, which was touted as the “Middle Eastern Riviera” of the plan. This is a façade for reconstruction, conditional, securitized and found in external controls.