US and Israel consider dividing Gaza to disarm Hamas; Arab countries object

The plan calls for reconstruction projects only in areas supervised by the Israel Defense Forces, while leaving other zones under Hamas authority.

By Vered Weiss

The United States and Israel are reportedly discussing a plan to divide Gaza into separate administrative zones, drawing sharp resistance from Arab governments, which warned that such a move would entrench Israeli control and derail peacekeeping efforts.

According to officials cited by The Wall Street Journal, the purpose of the plan is to contain Hamas, which has reasserted itself in the Gaza Strip during the cease-fire, and to facilitate its disarmament.

The plan calls for reconstruction projects only in areas supervised by the Israel Defense Forces, while leaving other zones under Hamas authority.

The idea, described as preliminary by a senior American official, has circulated in recent diplomatic meetings as part of a wider postwar framework for Gaza.

US officials told the paper that Jared Kushner, the US president’s son-in-law and confidant, is leading the discussions with the support of Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and that President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have endorsed the approach.

The plan envisions Israel gradually expanding its presence in Gaza to weaken Hamas while rebuilding selected areas as symbols of a future without the group.

Arab leaders said the proposal ignores regional concerns and would discourage Arab nations from participating.

Representatives from several Arab countries insist that only the Palestinian Authority should govern Gaza and manage any future peacekeeping mission – a scenario Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected.

A royal source in the United Arab Emirates told Israel’s N12 news site that Gulf nations were being pressed by Washington to participate but have refused to do so without Palestinian involvement.

“Without the Palestinian Authority, Riyadh will not intervene, directly or indirectly,” the source said, adding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu still objects to any Palestinian role.