Hamas to give up power? Arab countries increase the pressure amid struggle to find alternatives to Trump’s Gaza plan

Several Arab nations are increasing the pressure on Hamas to relinquish power over the Gaza Strip as they struggle to come up with an alternative plan to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to evacuate Gaza’s population.

Forcing the terror group to step aside, or even to give up its arms, is the minimum condition required for any alternative plan, as both Israel and the United States have insisted they won’t approve Hamas staying in power under any circumstance.

According to a report by i24 News, an Egyptian proposal would see the Palestinian Authority (PA) take a leading role in the Gaza Strip, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently opposed.

The Egyptian plan, estimated to last for up to five years, envisions the creation of a “Palestinian National Management Committee” to take over the enclave during reconstruction.

However, Reuters reported that the new Gaza management committee would “not be aligned” with the PA.

Meanwhile, the Qatari Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported that the committee is expected to include independent Palestinian figures unaffiliated with Hamas, the Fatah party, or the PA.

The report stated that discussions are underway between Cairo and European representatives to establish a mechanism for assisting and overseeing the new committee.

The outlet cited Egyptian sources saying they had reached an understanding with Hamas to distance itself from the civilian aspects of administration in the enclave, including security. As part of this agreement, new police personnel would be vetted, and individuals affiliated with Hamas would be removed.

Additional officers would be added after undergoing training in Egypt under European supervision.

In recent weeks, several Arab leaders have publicly called on Hamas to relinquish power, while Egypt has pushed the terror group behind the scenes.

“In recent days, Egyptian pressure on Hamas to give up control of the Gaza Strip has increased, in order to present a counterplan to Trump’s idea,” an Arab source told Israel's i24 News.

The source cited Egyptian intelligence officials threatening a Hamas delegation: “If you do not cooperate, Hamas and Gaza will go to hell.”

Delegation leader and senior official Khalil al-Hayya was reportedly told by an Egyptian intelligence official, “If you do not cooperate, we will make sure you soon disappear from the political scene in the entire region.”

In response, Hamas leaders reiterated their complete opposition to giving up their arms, while leaving the possibility they could allow a committee to take over the management of the strip. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem said, “We do not hold on to control of the Gaza Strip if it serves the interest of the Palestinian people.”

However, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan also declared that since Hamas “won the war,” it would be “unthinkable that Gaza will have a government that does not include Hamas. Anyone who tries to replace Israel will be treated as if they were Israel itself.”

A senior PA official told i24 that he believes that Hamas may give up some control, “But Hamas will give up control only as a means of survival as an armed organization that will not disappear from the Gaza Strip.”

Another senior official from the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) added, “Hamas understands that the Arab countries are sacrificing it on the altar of Trump's plan. It is willing to give up control or enter into a partnership to manage the Gaza Strip alongside the Palestinian Authority, but giving up its weapons means that Hamas ceases to exist.”

Egypt’s reconstruction plan includes an international investment of approximately $50 billion to build 200,000 housing units, while the enclave would be divided into three humanitarian zones and 20 separate construction areas to enable the Gazan population to remain in the region during reconstruction.

The proposal is reportedly almost complete and will be presented at the various meetings and summits planned for the coming weeks.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia on Thursday to discuss a regional contribution to the Egyptian plan of up to $20 billion.

Also on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in the United Arab Emirates to discuss plans for the future of Gaza. The six-state Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as Egypt and Jordan, will convene on Friday.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE and Qatar will reportedly meet again to discuss the joint plan before presenting it at a broader Arab summit planned in Cairo for March 4.

Meanwhile, Israel is awaiting the presentation of a joint plan, while reiterating that the continued presence of Hamas would not be accepted.

“When we hear it, we will know how to address it,” Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said this week.