Israel-Hamas Put Gaza In The Eye Of The Storm (Again). Can Arab Mediators Patch Up The Ceasefire? And What Is To Be Said About Trump’s Plan For Gaza Anyway?

The Israel-Hamas ceasefire is hanging by a thread—again. On Wednesday, Israel’s Defense Minister sent a fiery warning to Hamas, declaring that “all hell will break loose” if hostages aren’t freed as planned this weekend. Meanwhile, mediators are scrambling to keep the fragile truce from collapsing.

So, what’s the holdup? Hamas claims Israel hasn’t kept up its end of the bargain, pointing to delays in delivering tents, aid, and other promised supplies. In response, the group threatened to push back Saturday’s planned hostage release.

But there’s still hope. Hamas official Mahmoud Merdawi hinted at “positive signals” that the hostage release will happen on time—but also noted they’re still waiting for Israel to formally commit to the deal.

Behind the scenes, an Egyptian official familiar with the talks says both sides are this close to an agreement. According to the source (who spoke anonymously), Israel has agreed to send more tents, shelters, and heavy equipment into Gaza.

Israel and Hamas Trade Threats

Hamas’ threat to delay the hostage release didn’t sit well with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who shot back with a warning of his own. If Hamas doesn’t follow through, he says, the fighting resumes. Troops, who had pulled back under the ceasefire, have now been ordered to strengthen their positions around Gaza.

Following the warning, on Wednesday, Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, doubled down on the threat, borrowing a phrase from former U.S. President Donald Trump: “All hell will break loose. If Hamas stops releasing the hostages, then there is no deal and there is war,” Katz declared.

He also made it clear that Israel’s ultimate goal is to defeat Hamas entirely—something he claims would align with Trump’s vision for Gaza. And what exactly is that vision? According to Katz, it involves relocating Gaza’s population to neighboring countries.

Naturally, Hamas isn’t buying it. Spokesperson Hazem Kassem dismissed the threats, saying Israel needs to stick to the terms of the agreement—especially when it comes to delivering the promised aid.

Trump Stirs the Pot

Just when you thought the Israel-Hamas ceasefire was on shaky ground already, U.S. President Donald Trump threw in his own wild card with his latest proposal of moving the Palestinians out of Gaza to neighboring Arab countries and let the U.S. “own” and rebuild the strip—not necessarily for the people currently living there.

Unsurprisingly, this idea hasn’t gone down well. Jordan and Egypt—Trump’s suggested destinations for displaced Palestinians—have repeatedly and firmly rejected the proposal. Jordan’s King Abdullah II reiterated his opposition after a meeting with Trump at the White House on Tuesday.

But Trump wasn’t done. He also called for Hamas to release all remaining hostages at once—giving Israel more reason to demand more hostage releases by Saturday. So far, hostages have been freed in gradual, weekly exchanges.

Arab Mediators Hustle to Save the Ceasefire

Meanwhile, Arab mediators are in overdrive, trying to hold the truce together as Israel deploys more troops and tanks near Gaza, preparing for a potential collapse this weekend.

A Hamas delegation landed in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss ways to end the latest crisis, while Egyptian and Qatari mediators are pressing Israel to meet Hamas’s new demands before Saturday’s planned hostage release. According to Egypt’s state-run al-Qahera TV, these mediators are working “intensively” to prevent the ceasefire from unraveling.

Talks on the second phase of the deal were meant to start last week, but when Netanyahu sent an Israeli team to Qatar, they had no authority to negotiate beyond phase one. They left without progress. Now, Egypt and Qatar are pushing Israel to fully implement the humanitarian protocol and start discussions for the next stage, a Palestinian diplomatic source told Agence France-Presse.

Trump’s ‘Riviera’ Plan, Ethnic Cleansing or Grand Vision?

Even as Trump has doubled down on his plan to turn Gaza into a flashy “Riviera of the Middle East” while relocating its 2.3 million residents to Jordan and Egypt. Legal experts and human rights organizations have slammed the proposal, calling it ethnic cleansing.

Arab leaders aren’t having it either. King Abdullah reaffirmed Jordan’s “steadfast position against the displacement of Palestinians,” while Egypt is working on an alternative reconstruction plan backed by Arab states—one that ensures Palestinians stay on their land.

The ceasefire, which paused 15 months of devastating war, has barely held since it took effect on January 19. Over 48,000 Palestinians have been killed, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels. Meanwhile, Israeli forces say they’ve fired on people they claim violated the truce. Hamas argues Israel hasn’t upheld its side of the deal, particularly when it comes to aid deliveries.

Jordan, Palestinians Cannot Be Transferred’

Jordan isn’t mincing words when it comes to Donald Trump’s controversial Gaza proposal. Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi made it clear: Jordan will not budge on its opposition to relocating Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries.

His statement comes after Jordan’s King Abdullah II met with Trump at the White House on Tuesday. Jordan and Egypt have repeatedly refused to accept forcibly displaced Palestinians. The Palestinian Authority, Hamas, and Arab nations are united in rejecting Trump’s plan. Even China weighed in, bluntly stating, “Gaza belongs to Palestinians.”

Jordan, Offering Aid

While King Abdullah avoided direct confrontation with Trump during their meeting, he hinted at an alternative Egyptian-led proposal. When pressed on whether Jordan would accept displaced Palestinians, he sidestepped, saying he would do what’s best for his country. However, Jordan did agree to take in 2,000 critically ill Palestinian children for medical treatment—a humanitarian move, not an endorsement of Trump’s plan.

Jordan already hosts over 2 million Palestinian refugees—nearly 20% of its 11 million population. Adding more isn’t an option, and the kingdom is making sure the world knows it.

Trump’s ‘Ownership’ Plan for Gaza

Now coming to what exactly is Trump proposing?

At a February 4 White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he floated the idea of the U.S. “taking over” and “owning” Gaza after the current conflict. His justification? A fresh start with American-led reconstruction, turning Gaza into a place of business and tourism.

But his messaging has been wildly inconsistent.

On February 5, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted any Palestinian displacement would be “temporary” and that no U.S. troops or taxpayer money would go toward Gaza. Just days later, in a Fox News interview on February 10, Trump contradicted this, suggesting that Palestinians wouldn’t be returning at all because they’d be relocated to “a permanent place with much better housing.”

Why Egypt and Jordan Are Saying ‘No’

Trump insists his plan would provide Palestinians with safer, more stable living conditions in Egypt or Jordan while the U.S. rebuilds Gaza. Sounds good on paper, but here’s why it’s a hard no from the region – 

• Forced Displacement is a Red Line – Arab nations have long resisted any plan that forces Palestinians out of their land, fearing it sets a dangerous precedent for future conflicts.
• Regional Instability – Moving millions of Palestinians would upend delicate demographic and political balances in Jordan and Egypt, potentially leading to unrest.
• A History of Resilience – Palestinians have resisted decades of occupation and war without abandoning their homeland. They’re not about to start now.

Trump’s proposal has been met with widespread condemnation across the Middle East, including from key U.S. allies. Egypt and Jordan have firmly rejected the idea, emphasizing that it could destabilize the region and violate international norms. The Arab League has also denounced the proposal, warning that it could inflame tensions and undermine efforts toward a two-state solution.

What Is AJC Saying?

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) welcomed Trump’s reaffirmation of U.S. support for Israel’s security, the release of all hostages, and efforts to end Iranian-backed terrorism. However, AJC expressed concerns over his unexpected comments on “taking control” of Gaza and relocating its population, questioning the impact on ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

What And Where Is the Gaza Strip?

The Gaza Strip is a 141-square-mile Palestinian enclave bordering Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea. It is home to about 1.8 million Palestinians. Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005, hoping Palestinians would use the opportunity for development. However, after Hamas won the 2006 elections and violently ousted the Palestinian Authority in 2007, the region has been under Hamas’ control.

Since then, Hamas has used Gaza as a base for attacks against Israel, including major conflicts in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2021, and the October 7, 2023 attack, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths, more than 12,000 injuries, and 250 hostages taken.

Who Really Governs Gaza?

Hamas has ruled Gaza since its violent takeover in 2007, ousting the Palestinian Authority and eliminating opposition. Half of Gaza’s population was born after Hamas’ rise to power, having never experienced another form of governance.

Following the October 7 Hamas massacre and Israel’s subsequent military response, the governance of Gaza remains uncertain. While Israeli forces remain stationed in parts of Gaza, ongoing ceasefire and hostage negotiations will shape the region’s future. Hamas remains a designated terrorist organization in many countries, including the U.S., Israel, and the EU.

Has Israel Made Any Serious Offers of Peace Granting Gaza To The Palestinians?

Israel has repeatedly supported proposals leading to a two-state solution, including Palestinian control over Gaza. Various peace plans, such as the 1993 Oslo Accords, the 2000 Camp David Summit, and the 2007 Olmert offer, all included provisions for Palestinian governance of Gaza. However, each plan was met with rejection or violence.

Despite these setbacks, Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005, dismantling settlements and military installations in a bid for peace. However, Hamas’ rise to power soon after led to ongoing hostilities. The 2020 Trump Administration’s “Peace to Prosperity” plan also suggested a vision for a two-state solution, but it failed to gain traction among Palestinian leadership.

Does Israel Want To Actually Occupy The Gaza Strip?

Israel has not officially expressed a desire to occupy Gaza. While certain factions within Israel advocate for resettlement, this has never been government policy. Historically, Israel has attempted to cede control of Gaza, even after gaining it during the 1967 Six-Day War.

In 2005, Israel withdrew despite internal opposition, hoping for a peaceful future. However, Hamas’ rise to power and continued hostilities have led to ongoing conflict, making future governance of Gaza an open question. While Israel’s current military presence in Gaza is focused on dismantling Hamas’ capabilities, long-term plans for the region remain uncertain.

The Last Bit

The Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza is barely holding. As mediators scramble to keep the fragile truce alive, U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks on assuming control over the Gaza Strip and relocating its Palestinian population come at a critical juncture as Israel and Hamas prepare to negotiate the next phase of the ceasefire. This phase is expected to address the release of remaining hostages, both living and deceased, and possibly a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. However, Trump’s proposal risks further complicating these fragile talks.