Arab, Muslim States Commit to Gaza Demilitarization in US-Backed Plan Amid Palestinian Resistance

US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan has faced strong criticism from various parties including the Palestinian resistance group Islamic Jihad, which labeled it a "recipe for aggression" and a formula likely to ignite further regional conflict. Analysts like Phyllis Bennis highlight that the plan lacks protections for Palestinians and ensures a prolonged occupation by foreign troops. Trump emphasized commitments from Arab and Muslim countries to demilitarize Gaza swiftly by dismantling Hamas and other militant groups' infrastructure. Israeli officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have set stringent conditions for any ceasefire, demanding Hamas' complete disarmament, the continued presence of the Israeli Defense Forces in key Gaza areas, and no involvement from the Palestinian Authority or Qatar in Gaza's administration. Smotrich also insisted on preventing any mention of a Palestinian state that could threaten Israel's existence and called for freedom of movement at the Rafah Border Crossing. These divergent perspectives underline the complexities and contentious nature of the proposed peace plan and its implementation challenges.