How Arab and MENA countries reacted to Trump's Gaza plan

US President Donald Trump has unveiled a 20-point plan to end Israel's war on Gaza, which has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians since October 2023, most of them women and children.

The plan, announced alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for the disarmament of Hamas, an internationally monitored administration in Gaza, and the release of hostages and prisoners.

Reactions across the Arab and wider Middle East region have varied, from cautious welcomes to outright rejection. Here’s a closer look.

Palestine: divided responses

The Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs in the occupied West Bank, welcomed what it called Trump's "sincere and tireless efforts to end the war on Gaza".

It said it was ready to work with the US and regional partners on a "comprehensive agreement" that would secure humanitarian aid, prevent displacement, release captives and prisoners, and ultimately lead to a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

By contrast, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) rejected the plan, calling it a "recipe for continued aggression" and a formula to "ignite the region". The group said Israel was trying to impose through Washington what it had failed to achieve by force.

Hamas, which has received the plan, has said it will study it "in good faith" before giving a formal response.

Egypt: cautious support framed by security concerns

Egypt signed onto a collective statement with regional partners welcoming Trump's "sincere efforts". Cairo underlined its support for provisions preventing Palestinian displacement and for rebuilding Gaza.

Egyptian officials also stressed the security implications of the Rafah crossing, which has remained a point of tension during the war.

Saudi Arabia: joint support with emphasis on partnership

Saudi Arabia reacted positively, describing Trump's initiative as a genuine effort to end the war.

The Saudi foreign ministry joined other Arab and Muslim states in a statement welcoming the plan and expressing confidence in Washington's "ability to broker peace".

Riyadh highlighted key elements, including a ceasefire, captive exchanges, a phased Israeli withdrawal, Hamas disarmament, and the reconstruction of Gaza with international assistance.

It emphasised that humanitarian aid must flow through neutral international channels and reaffirmed its commitment to work constructively to finalise and implement the agreement, framing the plan as a potential path to regional peace and stability.

Qatar: humanitarian focus and opposition to displacement

Qatar, another key mediator in Gaza ceasefire talks, also signed the joint Arab–Islamic communiqué but emphasised its traditional red lines, which include opposition to any displacement of Palestinians and insistence on unrestricted humanitarian aid.

Doha said it was prepared to work with Washington on implementation, while continuing its role as a mediator between Palestinian factions.

Qatar Affirms Israeli Occupation Seeks to Undermine Chance of Peace in the Region#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/YtgibT7NR6

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) September 30, 2025

United Arab Emirates: aligning with regional consensus

The UAE joined the joint statement, endorsing Trump's role in seeking peace and highlighting the importance of reconstruction, prevention of displacement, and the integration of Gaza with the West Bank under a Palestinian state.

Abu Dhabi's response appears to fit with its broader strategy of engaging in regional normalisation with Israel, though Emirati officials have been careful to frame their support in terms of humanitarian needs and Palestinian statehood.

Jordan: wary support tied to Palestinian rights

Jordan also welcomed Trump's plan as part of the eight-nation statement. Amman has consistently opposed forced displacement scenarios, fearing the demographic and political implications of any influx across the Jordan River.

Jordanian officials framed their support for the plan around guarantees that Palestinians would not be expelled and that a two-state solution would remain the end goal.

Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt.

The Foreign Ministers of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of… pic.twitter.com/rkn0aGjHf7

— وزارة الخارجية وشؤون المغتربين الأردنية (@ForeignMinistry) September 29, 2025

Lebanon: cautious endorsement

In Lebanon, President Joseph Aoun said Beirut had welcomed Trump's plan and praised his efforts "to end the suffering of civilians and innocents in Gaza" and to work toward "a stable and prosperous Middle East founded on justice and human dignity".

He described the proposal’s handling of disputed issues as a "realistic approach".

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also hailed the plan, highlighting provisions for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid delivery, and a ban on the forced displacement of Palestinians. He said the plan "enshrines the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state".

Lebanon, still scarred by its own war with Israel that flared between October 2023 and late 2024, appeared to frame Trump's plan as a possible opening toward regional de-escalation, though scepticism remains high.

Turkey: strong endorsement from Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan commended Trump's "efforts and leadership aimed at halting the bloodshed in Gaza and achieving a ceasefire".

Ankara said it had remained committed to supporting diplomatic efforts to establish a just and lasting peace acceptable to all parties.

Turkey's endorsement went beyond the joint statement by Arab and Islamic nations, which might underline its ambition to play a leading regional role in shaping Gaza's postwar future.

I commend US President Donald Trump’s efforts and leadership aimed at halting the bloodshed in Gaza and achieving a ceasefire.

Türkiye will continue to contribute to the process with a view to establishing a just and lasting peace acceptable to all parties.

— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) September 29, 2025

Iran: silence so far

Iran, a major regional actor and a backer of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, has not yet issued an official reaction to Trump's proposal.

Tehran's stance is being closely watched, given its long-standing opposition to US-led peace initiatives and its framing of the Gaza war as part of a wider resistance struggle against Israel. Its muted response could reflect either internal deliberations or a desire to coordinate with allied groups before making a public statement.

Israel: Netanyahu backs, opposition split, far right rejects

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood alongside Donald Trump in Washington to endorse the plan.

He framed it as a historic opportunity to secure the release of Israeli captives while maintaining Israel's security interests. Netanyahu, who has faced months of domestic criticism over his handling of the Gaza war, described Trump's initiative as a framework that ensures Israel's "operational freedom" and international backing.

Israeli opposition leader Benny Gantz also praised Trump's "extraordinary efforts", arguing that the plan should be implemented quickly to return Israeli hostages, weaken Hamas, and open the door to wider normalisation with Arab states.

Gantz described it as a chance to deliver what he has previously called a "strategic flip", replacing Hamas in Gaza with more moderate regional actors and expanding Israel's diplomatic ties in the Arab world.

However, Israeli hardliners lashed out at the plan, which they saw as an unacceptable compromise. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a key figure in Netanyahu's governing coalition, denounced it as a "resounding diplomatic failure".

"It is a historic missed opportunity... and in my estimation, it will end in tears. Our children will be forced to fight in Gaza again," he said, adding: "We will consult, consider and decide, God willing. But the celebrations since yesterday are simply absurd."

Meanwhile, Israeli forces have continued military operations in Gaza even as the plan was unveiled, but Netanyahu warned that if Hamas rejects the deal, Israel is prepared, with full US backing, to "finish the job" militarily.