Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has publicly stated that the recently unveiled 20-point plan by former President Donald Trump to resolve Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza has been significantly altered from its original draft, which was proposed by a coalition of Arab and Muslim nations. During remarks made on Friday, Dar emphasized that the version released by the Trump administration does not align with the collaborative efforts of the involved nations, noting, “I made it clear that the 20 points that President Trump made public are not ours. Changes were made to our draft. I have the record,” as reported by Dawn news.
This declaration follows the White House’s announcement earlier this week of a comprehensive plan that includes key stipulations such as a ceasefire, the return of hostages, disarmament of Hamas, and the establishment of a new political framework for Gaza that notably excludes the Palestinian group. The timing of the plan’s release coincided with a press event featuring Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which Trump issued an ultimatum to Hamas, demanding their agreement within 72 hours.
In a subsequent statement, Mohammad Nazzal, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, confirmed that the group is currently reviewing Trump’s proposal and plans to communicate its stance shortly. He remarked, “We are not dealing [with the plan] under the logic that time is a sword pointed at our neck,” indicating a measured approach to the negotiations.
The document presented by the Trump administration was characterized as a joint initiative involving Israel, the U.S., and several Arab and Muslim nations. Prior to its public release, key discussions were held among these leaders during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. However, sources have reported that the finalized proposal included substantial amendments requested by Netanyahu, diverging from the original draft that had been agreed upon.
These revisions reportedly emerged after a lengthy six-hour meeting between Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Netanyahu. The modified plan stipulates that Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza is contingent upon Hamas’s disarmament and allows for a phased Israeli presence within a designated buffer zone until all perceived threats are neutralized.
A coalition of eight Arab and Muslim countries, including Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, issued a joint statement welcoming Trump’s announcement. Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani expressed a willingness to engage in further discussions regarding the plan, acknowledging both its constructive objectives and areas requiring clarification.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty echoed this sentiment, calling for additional dialogue to address critical issues of governance and security. According to the U.S. proposal, an international body led by Trump would oversee the implementation, while a Palestinian technocratic committee would manage civilian governance until the Palestinian Authority undergoes necessary reforms. A stabilization force is also proposed to ensure security during this transitional phase.
Experts have raised concerns regarding several key elements of the plan, particularly the feasibility of Hamas agreeing to disarm, given its longstanding position as the primary representative of Palestinian armed resistance. The current framework also lacks a clear pathway to recognizing Palestinian statehood, framing it instead as an “aspiration of the Palestinian people.”
Notably, the proposal does not address the controversial issue of forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, a significant shift from Trump’s previous remarks suggesting relocating the population to transform the area into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” a notion that faced widespread condemnation as an endorsement of ethnic cleansing.
Furthermore, the plan explicitly rules out the occupation of Gaza and the annexation of the West Bank, actions that have been advocated by members of Netanyahu’s far-right coalition. The implications of the proposal are profound, and should Hamas reject the terms, Trump ominously assured Netanyahu, “You will have our full backing to do what you have to do.” The unfolding situation continues to invoke scrutiny and debate as the global community watches closely.
