Gaza peace plan faces hurdles over Israeli withdrawal and Hamas disarmament

Efforts to implement a 15-point peace plan for the Gaza Strip are facing significant hurdles as the United States attempts to bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas. US Special Envoy Jared Kushner recently met with Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt, marking the first direct contact between Kushner and senior Hamas officials since the October 2025 ceasefire. The discussions focused on converting peace commitments into verifiable steps, including humanitarian aid increases, civil governance mechanisms, and the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF).

A primary point of contention remains the sequence of implementation, specifically regarding the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. While Washington advocates for these processes to occur simultaneously, Israel maintains that Hamas must be completely disarmed and excluded from Gaza's future management before any withdrawal occurs. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that Israel does not intend to withdraw until Hamas is fully neutralized.

International pressure is mounting, with foreign ministers from several Arab and Islamic nations, including Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, condemning Israel's stance as an obstacle to peace. Experts suggest that domestic political factors, such as the influence of right-wing allies within Netanyahu's Likud party and upcoming Israeli elections, are also complicating the negotiation process.