Efforts to advance former President Donald Trump’s ambitious plan aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza have encountered a significant delay, as talks have been suspended since last week. This pause coincides with a sudden escalation in the region after coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel targeted Iranian positions, igniting fears of a wider Middle Eastern war. The interruption in negotiations threatens to derail the progress of Trump’s signature Middle East peace initiative, which he has long promoted as a cornerstone of his foreign policy legacy.
Just weeks ago, Trump had successfully secured billions of dollars in financial commitments from Gulf Arab states to support Gaza’s reconstruction and stabilization. However, these same countries now find themselves under increasing threat from Iranian missile attacks, complicating their ability and willingness to continue funding the peace efforts. The unfolding conflict has cast a shadow over the fragile diplomatic groundwork laid for Gaza’s recovery and the potential easing of hostilities.
Central to Trump’s Gaza plan is the contentious issue of Hamas militants agreeing to disarm in exchange for amnesty. This disarmament was envisioned as a critical step to facilitate rebuilding efforts and enable further Israeli military withdrawals from the area. White House mediators had been quietly facilitating backchannel discussions between Israel and Hamas on this delicate matter. Unfortunately, these negotiations were abruptly halted when the Iran conflict erupted on February 28, putting a temporary stop to talks that were crucial for advancing peace.
The pause in disarmament discussions has not been publicly acknowledged until now. Experts like Zaha Hassan from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace highlight that Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, which had pledged substantial funds for the peace mission, may now be reconsidering their financial support. With these nations facing direct threats from Iranian rocket fire, questions arise about the viability and timing of their investments in Gaza’s future.
One insider familiar with the workings of Trump’s Board of Peace mission described the current halt as a short-term disruption largely caused by logistical challenges, including flight cancellations that have hindered the movement of mediators and representatives across the region. Cairo has traditionally served as the primary venue for these sensitive discussions, but the ongoing conflict has made travel and coordination increasingly difficult. Despite this setback, the Board of Peace remains cautiously optimistic that the broader conflict might eventually accelerate a resolution to the disarmament issue by weakening Iran’s longstanding financial and military support for Hamas.
Meanwhile, a Palestinian official closely involved in the mediation process revealed that Hamas was scheduled to engage in talks with Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish mediators on the very day the Iran war broke out. However, that meeting was abruptly canceled, and no new date has yet been proposed, leaving the future of these crucial negotiations uncertain. A spokesperson from the Trump administration acknowledged that while regional instability has complicated travel arrangements, discussions and efforts to promote stability and prosperity in Gaza continue unabated.
On the ground, Israel’s military has somewhat reduced its airstrikes in Gaza since the onset of the Iran conflict but has not fully ceased operations, citing ongoing threats from Hamas. Israeli jets have simultaneously intensified bombing campaigns targeting Iranian and Lebanese positions. Health officials report that at least 16 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza since February 28, underscoring the persistent human cost of the conflict. Residents like Talal Hamouda, a 46-year-old father of five living in Jabalia in northern Gaza, express deep concern that once the Iran war subsides, Israeli military actions against Gaza will resume with the same intensity and frequency.
In response to the turmoil, Hamas has reinforced its control over Gaza, maintaining a firm grip on the territories under its authority. Sources close to the group indicate that Hamas fighters recently launched ambushes against Israeli-backed militia members in both northern and southern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least two individuals. This ongoing cycle of violence and retaliation continues to complicate any prospects for a peaceful resolution, leaving the future of Trump’s Gaza peace plan hanging in the balance amid a volatile and rapidly shifting regional landscape.
