Arab states said seeking PA linkage in US plan, scotching Hamas disarmament

Several Arab states have suggested changes to a US proposal for ending the war in Gaza, including giving the Palestinian Authority an ancillary role immediately following the cessation in fighting, Qatari channel al-Arabi reports, citing unnamed sources.

According to the report, which does not name the states, other changes include a demand for a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip — something the plan as currently reported only lays out in vague terms — as well as Hamas ceasing armed activity, but not getting rid of its weapons, as the plan currently calls for. They also reportedly proposed Palestinian management of the enclave by technocrats under the sponsorship of an international council, though that appears to already be included in the plan.

Arab and Muslim countries briefed last week on the 21-point US plan for ending the Gaza war have over the past several days been submitting recommended edits for Washington to consider before the proposal is finalized today, an Arab diplomat tells The Times of Israel.

The plan, obtained by The Times of Israel, includes a role for the PA in the postwar management of Gaza only at some time in the future when needed reforms are implemented, rather than immediately after the war.

According to the report, the suggested changes will be presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his meeting with US President Donald Trump tomorrow.