Deep Divisions Between Hamas and Israel Over Trump’s Gaza Plan

Kokcha News Agency: The U.S. proposal, which includes 21 points, has been met with significant opposition from both Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, threatening to derail the peace process despite initial progress in negotiations.

According to a report by Russia Al-Youm, key points of contention include a temporary ceasefire, the release of prisoners, and the future governance of Gaza. The plan proposes a phased ceasefire with guarantees for Hamas, potentially leading to a lasting agreement.

Another critical aspect of the plan is the release of all Israeli prisoners within 48 hours of the ceasefire, in exchange for the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners with life or death sentences and 1,700 detainees since October 7.

The plan also calls for the disarming of Hamas and its removal from governance, offering amnesty to those who commit to “peaceful coexistence” and leave Gaza, with the possibility of return in the future.

For Gaza’s administration, the proposal suggests forming a non-Hamas-affiliated government and a temporary transitional administration led by international experts, including American and Palestinian representatives.

Reforms in the Palestinian Authority (PA) are also proposed, focusing on strengthening institutions, transparency, and countering extremism, with gradual administrative authority in Gaza following successful reforms.

The plan includes an international framework for Gaza’s reconstruction, covering health, education, and housing projects, and emphasizes international security coordination with the participation of “moderate” Arab and Islamic countries.

Additionally, the proposal outlines a political horizon for Palestinians, with Israel committing to a path leading to the formation of a Palestinian state, contingent on successful reconstruction and institutional reforms.

Despite the comprehensive nature of the plan on paper, the clauses related to disarming Hamas, reducing its political presence, and forming an alternative administration remain highly contentious.

Netanyahu’s Objections:
In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu rejected several clauses, expressing skepticism about the PA’s ability to implement the necessary security and administrative reforms to control Gaza. He criticized the clause on disarming Hamas as “vague and insufficient,” warning that such ambiguity could later be used against Israel’s security interests.

Netanyahu also opposed the return of Hamas members to Gaza after the war and explicitly rejected any reference to a “two-state solution,” which he ideologically opposes. Diplomatic sources suggest that this clause was included to keep the door open for normalization between Israel and major Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia.

Hamas’s Objections:
Hamas has also raised significant objections, particularly to the clause on disarmament, which it views as “complex and unjust,” arguing that it would undermine Palestinian defense capabilities and provide Israel with legal cover to continue targeting its leaders.

A source close to Hamas warned that this clause would face “widespread popular and political resistance in Gaza” and described it as a “fundamental and problematic point.”

While Hamas has expressed no fundamental objection to its non-participation in a post-war interim government, it insists that the identity of the technocrats governing Gaza must be agreed upon by its leadership.

The source also warned that any administrative formation “exclusively by the PA without national consensus” would be “completely rejected.”

Conclusion:
These deep divisions come as Israel Hayom reported that the U.S. proposal largely meets Israel’s demands, including the military and governmental disarmament of Hamas and the return of all prisoners. The report also indicated that the U.S. is determined to end the war in Gaza.