Media: Washington rejects changes to Trump Gaza plan Pushes “maximum pressure” on Palestinian resistance

The United States is intensifying pressure on Palestinian resistance factions, including Hamas, through regional intermediaries in Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye, in an effort to secure acceptance of the so-called “Trump plan” aimed at ending Israel’s war on Gaza. 

Meanwhile, Cairo and Doha have expressed reservations over the plan’s gaps, while Israeli analysts warn that the initiative is unlikely to succeed and could fuel further escalation, Caliber.Az reports, citing  Аl Аkhbar.

According to sources in Israel, Hamas is expected to respond with a “yes, but” stance, signalling conditional acceptance rather than outright rejection.

Diplomatic push

US officials have been urging regional mediators to press Hamas into agreeing to the 20-point initiative, seeking a swift political and media-driven response while the movement continues to review the plan in detail. Washington and Tel Aviv appear certain that Hamas will raise substantive reservations regarding the plan’s provisions.

Estimates in capitals involved suggest that Hamas will not reject the plan entirely but will push for amendments—an outcome Washington views as a threat to the plan’s core. US officials have therefore adopted a markedly uncompromising tone, signalling that the room for negotiation is extremely limited, if not non-existent.

In an interview with One America News, President Donald Trump said the Middle East issue “can be solved easily after 3,000 years,” adding: “We will have more than Gaza. We will achieve Gaza plus comprehensive peace, and it will be a remarkable accomplishment.” He also noted that following the Gaza issue, the US would “look at Russia, which turned out to be harder than expected.”

The White House confirmed that Trump will set a final deadline for Hamas to respond, with spokeswoman Caroline Levitt telling Fox News that “there is a red line that the US President will have to draw.” She added that the plan enjoys broad international support and that the US expects Hamas to accept it to move forward.

Regional reservations

Cairo, however, is increasingly sceptical about the plan’s chances. Egyptian sources told Al-Akhbar that US officials conveyed clearly that the Trump plan represents a “final opportunity” before Israel undertakes a comprehensive military campaign in Gaza aimed at eliminating Hamas and other factions. Washington has reportedly refused to discuss Hamas’ or other factions’ concerns, particularly regarding the timing of prisoner releases, the details of Israeli withdrawal, and post-conflict governance arrangements.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty said there are “many gaps that need to be addressed,” stressing that the plan requires further discussion, particularly on implementation mechanisms, governance, and security arrangements. He added that Egypt is coordinating with Qatar and Türkiye to influence Hamas’ stance, warning that rejection of the plan could lead to severe escalation. Abdel Aty also emphasised that Egypt would not allow the displacement of Gaza’s population under any circumstances, noting that such a move would amount to the erasure of the Palestinian issue.

Preliminary Palestinian feedback on the plan has reportedly been conveyed directly to Trump during a call with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad. On the Israeli side, an Israeli newspaper has suggested that Hamas’ conditional acceptance could include amendments inconsistent with the plan’s core objectives.

A recent analysis by the Masgav Institute for National Security and Strategy, authored by former national security adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, warned that the 21-point plan could lead only to a temporary lull in Gaza without addressing the root causes of the conflict.

The report noted that Hamas would remain the dominant force in Gaza even without an official administrative role, potentially restoring its military capabilities under the guise of civilian reconstruction, as disarmament is limited to offensive weapons.

Ben-Shabbat cautioned that the plan could turn Gaza into a Hezbollah-style model, with civil institutions appearing independent while Hamas controls the territory behind the scenes. Introducing the Palestinian Authority into the governance equation would not alter the core dynamic unless accompanied by full disarmament and the removal of Hamas from power—a key Israeli condition for any agreement.

While Israel has made significant progress towards dismantling Hamas through its military operations in Gaza City, the report stressed that careful scrutiny of the Trump plan is necessary, warning that absent effective oversight mechanisms, Hamas could continue to rebuild its capabilities under the cover of humanitarian aid, contrary to Israel’s strategic interests.

By Aghakazim Guliyev