Trump urges Netanyahu to implement Gaza peace plan... Pressure after the general election

US Internet media Axios reported on the 8th (local time) that US President Donald Trump urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to implement the Gaza Strip peace plan that had been put on hold following the Israeli general election.

According to two sources, in a phone call with Prime Minister Netanyahu on the 5th, President Trump asked him to take steps to implement his Gaza peace plan.

This plan aims to disarm the Palestinian armed political faction Hamas, demilitarize the Gaza Strip, and transfer governance to a new Palestinian technocratic government.

However, implementation was put on hold for several months ahead of the Israeli general election on the 27th of last month. It is said that the Trump administration did not want the issue of implementing the peace plan to become an explosive issue during the Israeli general election.

President Trump declared his support for Prime Minister Netanyahu just before the general election, but now that the election is over, it is known that he hopes that whoever forms the new government between Prime Minister Netanyahu and the opposition will pursue a peace plan.

Last July, the Peace Committee led by President Trump agreed with Hamas on a 15-item plan aimed at disarming armed groups in the Gaza Strip, including Hamas, and transferring civilian and security control to the Palestinian technocratic government.

However, the Netanyahu government has effectively refused to implement it, mainly for domestic political reasons. Prime Minister Netanyahu has expressed strong doubts about the possibility of actual disarmament, saying that Hamas is rebuilding its military organization and rearming in the Gaza Strip.

One U.S. official explained that the peace plan will be implemented in stages, and that reconstruction of the Gaza Strip will begin after progress in disarmament of Hamas is verified.

One source said the Trump administration, the peace committee, and Israel all agree that this plan is the best option and that there is no credible alternative.

Meanwhile, on the 6th, the day after the phone call between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, a member of the Peace Committee, visited Israel.

Axios reported that former Prime Minister Blair met with Prime Minister Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot, who is seeking to form a new government, and urged them to cooperate in implementing the peace plan.