WEEKLY UPDATE - 10.03.2025

Trump Floats New Peace Plan as War in Gaza Continues

On Monday, US President Donald Trump announced his latest proposal to end the nearly two-year war in Gaza during a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The plan consists of 20 points offering unspecified framework for an ending the war, rebuilding Gaza, and transitional governance of the Palestinian enclave. Netanyahu praised Trump’s plan which excludes Hamas from any future role in Gaza. Generally speaking regional actors responded favorably to the deal with several of the Gulf states, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and the PA all voicing a willingness to pursue the plan. In Israel the plan received mixed reviews. Prominent opposition leader Yair Lapid welcomed the plan while far-right members of the government Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir both were critical of the plan. Speaking in Hebrew, Mr. Netanyahu told Israelis that the plan would not lead to the creation of a Palestinian state.

The plan calls for the release of all the hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, demilitarization of the enclave, and the IDF to withdraw to a security perimeter within Gaza. Under the terms of the agreement, Hamas would have no future role in governance. There is also no mention of the Palestinian Authority or its possible role in Gaza. Within this framework, an international body headed by President Trump and other heads of states would oversee the management of the territory through an “International Stabilization Force” (ISF) comprised of Arab and international partners. The ISF would provide training to a Palestinian police force in Gaza.

The plan would allow for Palestinians wishing to remain in Gaza to continue living there. It also forbids Israel from annexing or reoccupying the territory, clashing with the demands of some members of the Israeli government. Several experts of the conflict see the plan as victory for Netanyahu while noting the many possible roadblocks that lay ahead. Former Israeli negotiator Daniel Levy said of the plan “Netanyahu will correctly assume he has plenty of wiggle room to turn an initial Israeli ‘yes’ into further derailing and spoiler moves during detailed talks.” The vague language of the plan leaves it open to various interpretations including the possibility of future Palestinian statehood. As of time of writing Hamas was still considering the plan and would like to amend the clause calling for the group’s disarmament.

Around the Region

• North Africa:

  • Protests gripped Morocco as hundreds of youth took to the streets criticizing the government’s prioritization of preparations for the 2030 World Cup over the country’s social programs. Like the Arab Spring protests a generation ago, the protests were organized online. Authorities have arrested dozens of protesters and activists have planned more protests.

  • An Algerian court sentenced Tijani Hassan Haddam, a former government official, to seven years in prison for embezzling nearly $45 million from the country’s social security fund.

• The Gulf:

  • The US military began drawing down its troops in Iraq under the terms of an agreement signed with the Iraqi government last year. The troops’ mission has been to assist in countering the militant group the Islamic State. Under the agreement, which was negotiated under the Biden administration, the US will reduce its number of troops in Iraq by 20 percent.

  • The US offered the Qatari government security guarantees following Israel’s strike on a Hamas delegation in Doha two weeks ago. As part of the move, the US facilitated a phone call between Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and the Qatari foreign minister in which he apologized for the air strikes.

  • The UN reinstated an arms embargo and other sanctions against Iran and its nuclear program. The UK, France, and Germany initiated the actions in the UN Security Council accusing Iran of violating its 2015 agreement that aimed to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

• The Levant:

  • Israel intercepted 39 boats attempting to break the military blockade of Gaza in order to deliver food and supplies to the beleaguered population. The IDF also intensified its military operations in Gaza City forcing the International Red Cross to suspend operations there.

  • The UN reported that 1 million Syrian refugees have returned to Syria since the collapse of Assad regime last December. Most of those who have returned are arriving from Turkey, Lebanon, and other neighboring countries.

  • The US approved $230 million aid package for the Lebanese Armed Forces as it pushes to disarm Hezbollah. The embattled Lebanese militant organization has refused to disarm in spite of mounting internal pressure and Israel’s sustained campaign against it.

Recommended:

• “Sufism Endures in Lebanon’s Marginalized North” Newlines Magazine

• “The Arab World’s First Indie Label” Newlines Magazine

• “A Veteran of Middle East peace talks reflects on a history of failure” Washington Post