Officials from Arab countries were infuriated by changes made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza, according to a new report.
Axios detailed on Tuesday that the deal presented to Hamas is significantly different to the one the U.S. and a group of Arab and Muslim countries had previously agreed on as a result of Netanyahu's changes.
The outlet noted that among the changes are the conditions and timetable for Israel's withdrawal from the enclave, which now ties it to the progress of Hamas' disarming. Moreover, even if all conditions are met, Israeli forces will remain within a security perimeter inside Gaza until it is "properly secure from any resurgent terror threat," a criteria that is not clear and could leave forces there indefinitely.
Officials from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey were among those seething at the development, with Qataris even trying to convince the Trump administration not to release the plan due to the objections. Trump did it anyway, and even though a group of eight countries issued a statement welcoming the plan, they didn't express their full support.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff, however, expressed optimism about the plan's chances of succeeding. "We have a lot of buy-in. Do we have some details to work out? Yes. But, you know President Trump... everyone is going to be pushed by him," he told Fox News.
Another report by CBS News, however, claimed that Hamas is leaning toward accepting the deal. The outlet quoted on Tuesday a diplomatic source with knowledge of the talks.
The Palestinian Authority has already supported the plan, vowing to conduct reforms to the organization before becoming involved in the governing of Gaza. In a statement, it made the commitment to hold "Presidential and Parliamentary elections within one year after the end of the war."
Should it be accepted by Hamas, the plan would see a quick ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages (alive and dead) as well as Palestinian prisoners, and increased flow of humanitarian aid. Members of Hamas who lay down their arms would receive amnesty and those who wish to leave it would be allowed to do so and head for receiving countries.
Originally published on Latin Times
