Incorporating the "pathway to Palestinian statehood" framework into the Security Council resolution continues President Donald Trump's 20-point plan and appears there with less assertive phrasing. The modification accompanied Washington-Jerusalem contacts, concluding with Israel removing its opposition – yet receiving compensation across multiple dimensions.
Before President Donald Trump unveiled and approved his plan in September, the president and his team presented their position to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer. The administration contended that remaining plan components – hostage repatriation, Hamas weapons dismantlement, and Gaza neutralization – would offset the "statehood pathway" provision against Israel threats. The Americans leveraged the Palestinian state argument to pressure Turkey and Qatar into demanding Hamas accept hostage release terms, Israel was informed at the time.
The administration previously guaranteed it wouldn't restrict Israel's military actions against Hamas should the organization breach the ceasefire. The US additionally pledged not to constrain Israel if Hamas declines disarmament and maintains weapons buildup while constituting a threat. Israel could restart the war for Hamas dismantlement, contingent on American coordination.
The US further committed to accepting an Israeli-determined schedule for subsequent pullbacks aligned with Israel's security perception. The sides also established that Israel's deployment in the Perimeter and Philadelphi Corridor wouldn't face temporal restrictions, contingent on security conditions.
The agreement's reemergence
The more compelling compensation relates to that prospective Palestinian state, should one materialize eventually. During exchanges between Trump adviser Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump himself, Netanyahu, Dermer, and Ambassador Dr. Yechiel Leiter throughout Security Council resolution drafting phases, the administration specified that such a state's foundational principles would conform to the 2020 "Deal of the Century." Specifically – a state formed solely on partial West Bank territory resembling that blueprint – cantonal division, complete demilitarization, and additional provisions. Furthermore, advancement toward such statehood should transpire exclusively following extensive Palestinian Authority restructuring, de-radicalization, educational curriculum overhauls, and total termination of payments to Palestinian terrorists and their relatives. Encompassing all this – Palestinians would likewise announce renouncement of return rights and conclude refugee designation for Palestinians in Middle Eastern camps.
Concurrently, President Donald Trump verified Monday evening for the first time that the US would consent to F-35 aircraft sales to Saudi Arabia. Trump anticipates announcing this throughout his White House meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman today, where both will deliberate normalization with Israel.
US official affirms Saudi F-35 transaction won't jeopardize Israel
A US official informed Israel Hayom that marketing F-35 aircraft to Saudi Arabia wouldn't compromise Israel's security or its qualitative dominance over additional regional nations. The official stated that Trump's authorization of the aircraft sale followed a meticulous evaluation of comprehensive data and contingencies, convincing him that Saudi possession of these aircraft would strengthen regional security.
The official referenced Saudi military collaboration, encompassing the air force, with US Central Command CENTCOM, within an architecture consolidating multiple regional states, including Israel. Trump acknowledged Saudi Arabia as an ally, referencing simultaneously the Iran campaign, signifying he perceives the Saudis as components of the Israeli-American coalition against Iran.
Israel Hayom disclosed that the Saudi Air Force contributed to intercepting the drones that Iran deployed toward Israel throughout the June warfare.
In Israel, authorities stress that the sale transpired following a consultation in Jerusalem. The calculated assessment projects that aircraft marketed to Saudi Arabia would materialize approximately five years hence, representing models that omit the most sophisticated systems Israel's Air Force commands. Netanyahu previously agreed to sell such aircraft to the United Arab Emirates before signing the Abraham Accords five and a half years ago. That transaction hasn't yet materialized, but it is anticipated to be realized imminently.
The open question remaining is what Trump agreed to in exchange for approving the aircraft sale, and whether Israel is factored into that exchange. Specifically, whether Israel will take any measures to initiate normalization pathways with Saudi Arabia. The projection suggests Trump and bin Salman's conference will yield a declaration addressing this subject.
Hamas compensation
Nevertheless, not everyone participating in negotiations accepts the placation efforts. An Israeli diplomatic source stated that given the war's context, the fundamental concession to Palestinian statehood signifies Hamas and terrorism secured compensation for the October 7 atrocity, and unquestionably it will exploit this propagandistically. The source highlighted the Palestinian Authority's conduct as volatile and undependable, and despite apparent authority transition to Hussein al-Sheikh, the Palestinian Authority commands inadequate Palestinian constituency backing to validate and execute the arrangement.
Incidentally, the Yesh Atid party is flanking Netanyahu rightward here. Opposition Chairman Yair Lapid cautioned at the Knesset caucus advancing regional security that Netanyahu has reconnected the West Bank and Gaza, and Knesset Member Sharon Nir from his party asserted Palestinian state establishment would compensate terrorism.
Meanwhile, the European Union attempts incorporating itself into Gaza rehabilitation blueprints. Christophe Bigot, the EU's specialized envoy for the peace process, mentioned in a remote caucus conference dialogue that the EU should assume responsibility for Palestinian Authority transformations. An Israeli diplomatic source remarked Bigot's statements elicit ridicule, considering the EU represented the entity channeling billions toward Palestinians, substantial portions diverted toward terrorism promotion or malfeasance – absent European monitoring.
"East Gaza Province"
Following the Security Council ballot, initiatives establishing both entities – the multinational force and civilian administrative apparatus in the Gaza Strip – should accelerate. Yet the substantive challenge, the primary impediment, remains Hamas lodged like an obstruction. Hamas attempted provoking Arab resistance to the ballot and upon failing, solely Algeria, a Security Council participant, persisted. Hamas declines resuming negotiations on subsequent stages absent resolution for its operatives detained in Rafah tunnels, without Rafah crossing activation, and without amplifying provisions to volumes capable of replenishing its stockpiles and reinforcing its authority. Furthermore, multiple senior figures openly articulate disarmament opposition. The implication signifies that regardless of multinational force establishment formally, it won't penetrate the Gaza Strip, and despite civilian governance formation, it cannot govern regions housing Hamas.
Consequently, the Americans prioritize the civilian component initially and the security element subsequently – exclusively in Israeli-controlled territories. As we published in Israel Hayom, this encompasses establishing humanitarian sectors designated for hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals throughout reconstruction years, where they'll obtain necessary services and infrastructure. Physical reconstruction planning progresses, with intentions to commence practically, as referenced, solely in "East Gaza Province" areas, as designated, excluding Hamas territories.
