The United States and Israel are backing a bold proposal to divide the Gaza Strip into two distinct zones—one under Israeli administration and the other temporarily left under Hamas control, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
Under this plan, Israel would manage a rebuilt and demilitarized section of Gaza, allowing for the free flow of reconstruction and international aid. This would create a stark contrast with the Hamas-controlled area, which would remain excluded from significant assistance until the terrorist group is disarmed and removed from power, U.S. and Israeli officials told The Journal.
The goal of the strategy, American officials explained, is to isolate Hamas politically and economically, creating an incentive structure where prosperity and rebuilding are tied to Israeli oversight, while deprivation and isolation would persist in the Hamas-run section. The plan aims to weaken Hamas by making life in its controlled areas unbearable, ultimately forcing the group to relinquish its weapons and control.
Supporters of the plan within Israel have hailed it as a pragmatic way to diminish Hamas' power while laying the groundwork for the rebuilding of Gaza. They argue that successful reconstruction under Israeli security could serve as a model for stability across the region.
However, critics warn that this proposal risks creating a permanent division within Gaza, similar to the fragmented zones of the West Bank. Regional governments and humanitarian agencies are concerned that the plan could cement long-term Israeli control and delay any real prospects for Palestinian self-determination.
The Journal report indicated that the U.S. plan does not specify who would govern or police the Israeli-administered zone, though discussions have suggested a transitional authority supported by Arab states and international monitors. The specifics remain fluid, and negotiations are still ongoing.
Hamas has rejected the arrangement, with Palestinian representatives viewing it as an attempt to strip Gaza of its sovereignty while rewarding Israel's continued occupation.
This proposal marks one of the first concrete frameworks discussed publicly between Washington and Jerusalem for a postwar Gaza. It envisions a gradual rebuilding process under Israeli oversight while Hamas’ power weakens—a process that would culminate in the group's disarmament and removal from power. Whether the plan will come to fruition remains uncertain, but it certainly sets the stage for the next chapter in Gaza's complicated history.
