According to a report by Danny Zaken, published in Israel Hayom on September 29, Witkoff's "Plan B" emerges as the primary 21-point proposal, encountering significant resistance from both sides. While the comprehensive plan addresses root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, disagreements over key issues, particularly Hamas's disarmament and Israel's withdrawal timeline, threaten to derail the entire process.
The Proposal
The current proposal, despite being called the "21-point plan," actually contains more provisions and represents the most ambitious attempt yet to end the conflict that has devastated Gaza. The plan is divided into two main components: immediate ceasefire conditions and post-war governance in Gaza. Under the ceasefire framework, Israel would receive all hostages—both living and deceased—upfront, contrary to Hamas's demand for phased releases. In exchange, Israel would pause military operations, begin a gradual withdrawal, and allow unrestricted humanitarian aid delivery.
Hamas faces unprecedented pressure to accept some form of agreement. Israeli forces continue eliminating scores of militants daily, including commanders and, tragically, their family members. Domestic opposition to Hamas is growing within Gaza, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealing that multiple clans, including the al-Shaib clan, are actively fighting against Hamas rule. The terrorist organization's external leadership remains in hiding following an assassination attempt in Doha, focusing primarily on survival while facing harsh criticism across the Arab world for Gaza's destruction and tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths.
Gaza to be Administered by a Multinational Body
The reconstruction component envisions Gaza administered by a multinational body led by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, with the Palestinian Authority maintaining at least symbolic involvement. International figures, including Tony Blair and Jared Kushner, are reportedly involved in managing reconstruction efforts, with pilot projects in education and healthcare already underway in areas not controlled by Hamas. Notably, these educational initiatives include Saudi religious curricula promoting tolerance and de-radicalization, led by Emirati participants.
Critical disagreements persist over several issues. Israel demands a long-term military presence along the Philadelphi Corridor and has already established permanent perimeter positions. Hamas, supported by Qatar, insists on setting a definitive date for complete Israeli withdrawal before releasing all hostages. The question of Hamas's weapons remains particularly contentious—while recent wording mentions "demilitarizing" Gaza, no explicit agreement exists requiring Hamas to surrender all arms. However, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the Palestinian Authority support Israel's position on complete disarmament.
President Trump's limited patience adds urgency to negotiations, with Israeli officials preferring to reach an agreement before potentially harsher conditions are imposed. However, Hamas, potentially encouraged by Iran, continues attempting to buy time, hoping internal Israeli disputes will deepen and American support will wane.
Witkoff's alternative approach—accepting non-controversial points while continuing negotiations on disputed issues—offers a pragmatic path forward. However, Israel has indicated it will not cease combat operations during such talks, potentially limiting the proposal's effectiveness. As exhaustion mounts on all sides and the humanitarian crisis deepens, this alternative strategy may represent the best opportunity to begin unwinding a conflict that has brought unprecedented suffering to the region.