Trump's Peace Plan

Voices from the Arab press: Reading the Jeddah statement

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

SAUDI CROWN PRINCE Mohammed bin Salman (R) receives Bahrain’s King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa ahead of an exceptional meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council – the first in-person meeting of Gulf leaders since their states became a front in the Iran war two months ago – in Jeddah, April 28.
YOUNG PALESTINIAN workers break up concrete while working on rubble in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip.

Hamas is preventing Gazan contractors from crossing Yellow Line to rebuild Rafah - report

Palestinian members of al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement.

Hamas disarmament talks stuck between Israeli security and Gaza guarantees - exclusive

An illustration of oil barrels, pipelines, and drills, over the backdrop of US and Iranian flags.

Oil surges, stocks fall as US-Iran tensions threaten Strait of Hormuz shipping flows driving risk


Tony Blair dropped from Trump's Gaza 'board of peace' after Arab objections - Financial Times

Blair, the former UK prime minister, was the only individual initially named by Trump when the US president unveiled his 20-point plan to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas in late September.

Former British prime minister Tony Blair attends the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change's annual Future of Britain Conference, in London, Britain, July 9, 2024.

Gaza ceasefire's Catch-22: Hamas delays disarmament as it calls for IDF withdrawal - analysis

Hamas says it won't disarm while the IDF is in Gaza and suggests a long-term truce or 'storing' its arms. Meanwhile, the IDF likely won't leave half of Gaza until Hamas disarms.

Hamas terrorists seen before a hostage release in Gaza City, February 1, 2025

Hamas willing to 'freeze or store' weapons to prevent escalation, official tells AP

Hamas Shura Council member Bassem Naim told AP it is open to halting weapons use during a truce but rejects a US-proposed stabilization force entering Palestinian territory.

Hamas Shura Council member Bassen Naim at a news conference in Beirut, Lebanon, November 8, 2023; illustrative.

US support for Israel not a favor from past but an investment in region's future - editorial

If Washington doesn’t want more wars in the Middle East, it needs to support the one country that keeps the region from falling back into chaos.

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu give thumbs-up at the White House in Washington, DC, US, September 29, 2025.

Hamas's Khaled Mashaal: We will not disarm, give up control in Gaza, or accept int'l oversight

Israel's Foreign Ministry, sharing footage of Mashaal's address, slammed the comments, calling them a "direct contradiction of the core terms of the peace plan itself."

Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal addresses an Istanbul conference, December 6, 2025.

Netanyahu, Tony Blair discuss future of Gaza admin., possible PA governance in secret meeting - KAN

Blair's initiative to allow the Palestinian Authority to govern certain areas of Gaza was not dismissed outright by Israel, KAN reported.

Former British prime minister Tony Blair visits Jerusalem in July 2014; illustrative.

No one will do Israel’s dirty work: Why PA, int’l orgs. can’t finish off Hamas - opinion

This is the moment to dismantle Hamas’s remaining capabilities. Israel can and must finish the mission, not out of ambition, but out of necessity.

MK Ohad Tal attends a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

The patient hiker: Finding patience in politics, hiking, healing - opinion

Life is not a straight, flat road, but “patient hiking” is definitely worth it.

HIKING KATLAV.

Lapid to bring Trump's Gaza peace plan to Knesset vote in bid to 'embarrass' Netanyahu

In a statement, Lapid noted that "we support President Trump and strengthen his hand in the efforts to implement the stages of the plan."

Opposition leader and Yesh Atid head MK Yair Lapid speaks before a faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 17, 2025

Hamas leaders in Cairo to discuss Gaza plan, US moves forward with plan for Palestinian housing

The planned meeting will include discussions on the recent escalations in the Strip despite the ceasefire and movements towards the next step of the ceasefire plan.

Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya at a press conference in Damascus, Syria, October 19, 2022.