Gaza peace plan: Will US pressure Israel to accept it?

The new Gaza peace plan, announced last week, has sparked debate over whether US pressure could convince Israel to accept it. While the deal is more detailed and substantive than previous arrangements, experts believe it may offer a greater chance of success.

A key difference is that Hamas, the militant group responsible for the 2023 attack on Israel that killed over 1,000 people, has agreed to disarm. This marks a significant shift, as Hamas previously refused to disarm until Israel withdrew its troops. The group's decision, influenced by pressure from other countries like Egypt and Qatar, could force Israel's hand in accepting the peace plan.

However, Israel has expressed displeasure with the deal, with far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir dismissing it as "unacceptable." Netanyahu, facing an election in less than 90 days, is reluctant to make concessions on Gaza due to potential backlash from his far-right supporters. Despite these challenges, experts argue that US pressure could be crucial in bringing Israel to the negotiating table.