Eight Arab and Muslim States Oppose Israel's Stance on Trump Peace Plan, Likud Claims Plot Against Netanyahu

Eight Arab and Muslim countries issued a joint statement opposing Israel's position on the 15-point Trump peace plan concerning Gaza, warning it could hinder progress. The statement, released on August 16, 2026, focuses on issues such as disarming Hamas, demilitarizing Gaza, troop deployments, and the future governance and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. Israel demands a complete disarmament of Hamas and full demilitarization as prerequisites for any further withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces, rejecting partial solutions like international supervision or weapon storage.

The eight countries, which include Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, are part of the "Peace Council" established by Donald Trump to promote the American peace initiative. They are involved in mediation efforts with Hamas and seek to advance a regional framework for a stable ceasefire, Gaza's rehabilitation, and a broader political settlement. The forum has also expressed support for Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of a Palestinian state as part of a future agreement.

The Likud party responded sharply, accusing these states of attempting to weaken Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and bolster former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, interpreting the statement as a move to replace Netanyahu with a government more amenable to their demands. However, the joint declaration itself contains no direct call for Netanyahu's ouster or references to Israeli political rivals or elections.

The dispute centers on the conditions for further Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, with Israel insisting on full Hamas disarmament and demilitarization, while Hamas links disarmament to Israeli withdrawal progress. Israeli officials fear that any arrangement falling short of complete disarmament would leave Hamas militarily capable of rebuilding. The joint statement by the eight countries increases pressure on Israel amid ongoing U.S.-led efforts to bridge gaps between the parties, with the weapons issue remaining the main obstacle.

Summary: Eight Arab and Muslim nations oppose Israel's stance on the Trump peace plan for Gaza, emphasizing full Hamas disarmament and Gaza demilitarization. Likud accuses these states of seeking to topple Netanyahu, while the countries push for a regional framework supporting Palestinian self-rule and peace. The dispute over withdrawal conditions and weapons remains a key hurdle in U.S.-mediated talks.

Points: - Eight Arab and Muslim states oppose Israel's position on Trump's Gaza peace plan. - The 15-point plan focuses on Hamas disarmament, Gaza demilitarization, and reconstruction. - Likud claims the opposition aims to weaken Netanyahu and support Gadi Eizenkot. - The joint statement supports Palestinian self-determination and a future state. - Israel demands full Hamas disarmament as a condition for further withdrawal. - The weapons issue remains the main obstacle in U.S.-led peace negotiations.

Topic: politics israel_relevant: true Entities: {"people":["Benjamin Netanyahu","Donald Trump","Gadi Eizenkot","Khalil al-Hayya","Jared Kushner"],"organizations":["Likud","Hamas","Israeli Defense Forces","Peace Council"],"places":["Gaza","Israel","Egypt","Qatar","Saudi Arabia","United Arab Emirates","Jordan"]}