8 Key Arab Nations Just Endorsed Trump's Peace Plan. Is Hamas Next?

US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for ending the war in Gaza has secured a significant diplomatic boost, with eight Arab and Muslim majority nations formally endorsing the vision for regional peace. The commitment from these key international players comes as the Palestinian Authority (PA) welcomes the initiative, while Hamas, the terror group crucial to the deal’s implementation, promises to examine the proposal “responsibly.”

The joint statement, issued by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt, was released Monday, following a multilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The ministers hailed Trump’s “sincere efforts” to end the conflict and expressed “confidence in his ability to find a path to peace.”

Key Components of the Arab-Muslim Commitment

The statement outlined the collective commitment of the eight nations to work "positively and constructively" with the U.S. toward finalizing and implementing the agreement. Their backing is contingent on a comprehensive deal that:

This broad support from nations across the Muslim world, including those with formal ties to Israel (Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Turkey) and those without (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan), underscores the regional desire for a resolution, even as key players like Indonesia and Pakistan maintain that full normalization with Israel hinges on Palestinian statehood.

PA Welcomes Deal, Commits to Major Reforms

In Ramallah, the Palestinian Authority quickly welcomed Trump’s initiative, praising his “sincere and determined efforts.”

Crucially, the PA committed to undertaking long-demanded internal reforms to the Ramallah-based administration. In a public statement, the Authority vowed to hold presidential and parliamentary elections within one year after the war ends, enforce a pluralistic and democratic structure, and implement reforms to its school curriculum, which Israel has long claimed promotes incitement. The goal is to establish a "modern, democratic, and non-militarized Palestinian state."

Hamas and PIJ Offer Contrasting Responses

While the PA and regional states offered encouragement, the reaction from Gaza's terror groups was mixed and highly scrutinized.

Hamas, whose agreement is essential for the plan’s success, has not yet issued a formal response. However, Qatari and Egyptian mediators have confirmed the plan was relayed to the group, and a Hamas delegation reportedly promised to review the proposal “responsibly.”

In stark contrast, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terror group vehemently decried the proposal. In a scathing statement, PIJ labeled the American-Israeli declaration a “formula for igniting the region,” asserting it was an attempt to impose terms Israel could not achieve through military means. PIJ continues to hold at least one hostage in Gaza.

Gaza Residents Divided on Prospect of Peace

On the ground in the war-torn enclave, reactions among displaced Palestinians ranged from despair to cautious optimism.

Many, like Ibrahim Joudeh, a 39-year-old computer programmer, were deeply skeptical, dismissing the plan as "unrealistic" and drafted with conditions Hamas would never accept. Others worried the plan was a "farce" designed only to secure hostage releases without guaranteeing an end to the war.

Conversely, some, like 31-year-old street vendor Anas Sorour, "dared to hope," expressing a longing for a "moment of joy that makes us forget our pain." However, widespread disillusionment was evident, with one resident summarizing the prevailing fear: "As always, Israel agrees, then Hamas refuses, or the other way around. It’s all a game, and we, the people, are the ones paying the price.”