President Trump's administration is facing a divided response to its U.S.-backed Gaza peace plan, with several Arab allies joining the U.S. in urging Israel to accept the proposal. However, Israel has rejected the plan and continued airstrikes in Gaza, raising concerns that the conflict could reignite.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner have been engaged in diplomatic efforts to secure acceptance of the deal. Kushner, along with Trump's Board of Peace envoy for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, was scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to gain his support after Israel previously declared the 15-point plan "unacceptable."
Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, along with Turkey, Pakistan, and Indonesia, have publicly condemned Israel's opposition. These nations warned that Israel's stance could jeopardize the deal and escalate the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Israel rejects the peace plan and will not withdraw its forces from Gaza until Hamas no longer poses a threat. According to the U.S. proposal, Hamas would lay down its weapons in exchange for Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. This disarmament condition has been a sticking point, as Hamas has indicated it would only disarm after Israel ends all strikes and withdraws its forces from the territory.
Since the plan's announcement, Israel has resumed airstrikes targeting Hamas military sites. A recent strike reportedly hit an apartment building in the Nuseirat refugee camp, injuring several people. Meanwhile, Hamas has called on the U.S. to pressure Netanyahu to adopt Trump's roadmap and end the war.
The U.S. peace plan, initially proposed last year, has been in flux. A revised 15-point version was presented last month in an attempt to achieve a breakthrough. Reports indicate that at least 1,250 Palestinians have been killed since the initial peace deal announcement, with human rights groups and medics citing most casualties as civilians. Four Israeli soldiers have also been reported killed in clashes with militants during the same period.