ISLAMABAD
Despite their misgivings with the ‘pro-Israel’ draft of US President Donald Trump’s plan to bring peace to war-ravaged Gaza, countries from the eight-member Muslim bloc may yet push for it to be accepted.
Officials from Qatar and Pakistan have already implied—albeit diplomatically—that the plan announced by the White House was quite “different” from the one they signed up to in New York.
However, some countries—especially those in Gaza’s immediate neighbourhood—also believe they have secured key concessions, such as Trump’s refusal to recognize Israeli annexation of the West Bank and a US commitment that Palestinians will be allowed to remain in Gaza. Under the plan, Israel has also agreed not to permanently occupy the Gaza Strip.
Economic and Security Gains for Egypt
According to a senior Egyptian political source quoted by Middle East Eye, Gaza’s reconstruction represents a “major economic opportunity” for Egypt, channeling billions of dollars into its economy. Crucially, accepting the plan would “completely end the displacement scheme”—the looming threat of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians being expelled from Gaza into the Sinai Peninsula—which had become a source of “deep tension” between Cairo and Tel Aviv.
Surprising Changes in the Draft
Compared to earlier drafts, the final plan contained surprising changes on key issues:
- Prisoner Release: Where previously hundreds of Palestinian prisoners would have been released alongside 1,700 Gaza detainees, now just 250 inmates would be freed with the detainees.
- Aid Commitments: Original drafts mandated 600 aid trucks entering Gaza per day, but the new version’s vague language offered no such clear commitment.
- Governance: Gaza would be run by a ‘Board of Peace,’ led by Trump and former British PM Tony Blair, effectively cutting out international consultation.
Troop Deployment and Security Zone Concerns
- International Stabilisation Force (ISF): The so-called ISF, slated to train Palestinian police, suddenly had expanded powers, suggesting increased Israeli control.
- Israeli Withdrawal: The Israeli troop withdrawal was staggered without clear deadlines, and the addition of a “security zone” around the perimeter appeared to signal the prospect of a permanent Israeli presence inside Gaza.
- Muslim Bloc Concerns: Trump had asked all eight Muslim countries (including Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt) to contribute troops to the ISF. A senior regional official voiced “serious concerns” about the leadership, rules of intervention, and engagement for this force. Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt sought UN Security Council approval for the force to legitimize the move, but the US and Israel dropped it from the draft plan.
Pressure on Hamas
Despite overall dissatisfaction, officials from Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt convened quickly in Doha on Tuesday to encourage Hamas to give a positive response to Trump’s proposal.
A source close to the process told Middle East Eye that Hamas leaders were briefed on its terms immediately after the official announcement, with an emphasis that this was the “last opportunity to end the war and ease the suffering” of the Palestinian people. However, Hamas officials told AFP on Wednesday they still want amendments to clauses in the plan, including those concerning disarmament and the expulsion of Hamas cadres. They also seek “international guarantees for a full Israeli withdrawal” and guarantees against assassination attempts.
