Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a significant twist to ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the Gaza crisis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly made substantial changes to a U.S.-backed plan originally negotiated by American officials and supported by several Arab and Islamic countries. The plan, widely referred to as the “Trump Gaza Initiative,” has now become a subject of contention due to these modifications.
According to a report published by the American news outlet Axios, the current version of the proposal being presented to Hamas differs markedly from the original framework that had been developed in coordination with the U.S. and endorsed by a coalition of regional actors. The report highlights that the changes were made during a recent meeting in Israel that included Netanyahu, Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer who also heads the Israeli negotiation team, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former President Donald Trump.
During the meeting, Netanyahu reportedly succeeded in altering several key provisions of the 21-point plan, most notably those related to the timeline and conditions of the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. These revisions are seen by some diplomats as a potential obstacle to consensus among international stakeholders, particularly those from the Arab and Islamic world who had previously signaled cautious support for the original plan.
The Trump plan, as initially drafted, called for the release of all Israeli hostages held in Gaza within 72 hours of its enactment. It also stipulated the disarmament of Hamas and the establishment of a temporary technocratic Palestinian transitional committee to manage public services in Gaza. Oversight would be provided by an international body referred to as the “Peace Council,” chaired by Donald Trump himself—an unusual and symbolic detail that underscored the former U.S. president’s desire to maintain a central role in Middle East diplomacy.
The nature of Netanyahu’s amendments remains partially undisclosed, but sources close to the negotiation suggest that the Israeli leader aimed to secure more favorable terms regarding security arrangements and the timeline for any military or administrative withdrawal. His government is also believed to be pushing for stronger guarantees around the demilitarization of Gaza before any meaningful transfer of authority can occur.
Observers note that Netanyahu’s intervention may reflect internal political calculations as much as strategic concerns. With mounting domestic pressure and a volatile coalition, he faces limited political space to appear conciliatory, especially toward Hamas or any transitional Palestinian authority, even one with international backing.
The modifications have raised eyebrows among some of Israel’s allies, including those in Washington, who are wary that unilateral changes could unravel months of delicate negotiations. The involvement of Kushner and other figures from the Trump administration also points to an ongoing effort to maintain relevance in Middle Eastern affairs, despite the absence of a formal diplomatic role.
For now, the revised proposal remains under review by Hamas, which has not yet publicly responded. However, insiders suggest that the altered terms may complicate the group’s decision-making, especially if the new conditions are viewed as undermining the spirit of the original agreement.
As diplomatic channels remain open but fraught, the future of the Trump-inspired Gaza plan hangs in the balance, reshaped by political realities and the ambitions of those still hoping to leave their imprint on one of the world’s most intractable conflicts.
