WSJ: Israel influenced Trump’s Gaza plan

Israel played a significant role in shaping U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza, insisting on a series of amendments that were ultimately included in the final proposal, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The plan, unveiled by the White House, calls for the release of up to 20 hostages within 48 hours, the disarmament of Hamas, the deployment of an Arab stabilisation mission, and the establishment of a temporary administrative authority with a subsequent withdrawal of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) from the territory.

However, the initiative faces a number of political and practical obstacles.

Even with apparent agreement between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, gaps remain in the plan’s governance framework and guarantees.

According to the report, Trump effectively threatened a new military campaign to bring an end to nearly two years of standoff in the region.

Speaking at a news conference following talks at the White House, Trump called the plan "a historic day for peace".

But he said that Netanyahu will have US backing to "finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas" if Hamas does not agree to the plan.

Netanyahu then said Israel "will finish the job" if Hamas rejects the plan or does not follow through.

The Palestinian Authority, which governs the Israeli-occupied West Bank, has called the US president's efforts "sincere and determined".

In a statement published by its news agency, the authority said it "renews its joint commitment to work with the United States, regional states, and partners" to end the war in Gaza, ensure sufficient delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the release of hostages and prisoners.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Türkiye, Indonesia, and Pakistan said they welcomed Trump's "leadership and his sincere efforts to end the war in Gaza".

They said they were ready to engage with the US to finalise and implement the agreement, which they said should lead to a "two-state solution, under which Gaza is fully integrated with the West Bank in a Palestinian state".

By Aghakazim Guliyev