The Trump administration and Israeli officials are reportedly discussing a controversial plan to divide Gaza into two zones—one under Israel Defense Forces (IDF) control and the other under Hamas—in an effort to weaken the terrorist group’s influence and ensure its disarmament, according to The Wall Street Journal. Reconstruction and humanitarian projects would only take place in areas secured by Israel, effectively creating an incentive for Palestinians to distance themselves from Hamas rule. The proposal, said to have been driven by Jared Kushner and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, has reportedly received approval from President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. However, it has raised alarm among Arab negotiators, who warn that such a plan would lead to an indefinite Israeli occupation and fracture any regional cooperation.

Officials from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have expressed strong opposition to sending troops or participating in Gaza’s post-war administration without the involvement of the Palestinian Authority—something Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly rejects. “We sensed a deep lack of understanding within the American administration regarding Gaza’s society,” one UAE source told N12 News, emphasizing that any lasting solution must include Palestinian governance. Critics accuse the U.S. of using the proposal to buy time while searching for a long-term strategy, while Washington maintains its priority is to stabilize Gaza and uphold the ceasefire. Meanwhile, plans to rebuild non-Hamas-controlled areas are being considered as a way to showcase what a “future without Hamas” might look like—though questions remain over security, administration, and how to prevent terrorist infiltration into Israeli-held zones.

SOURCE: Jerusalem Post