“Safe Zone” and “Danger Zone”: Details of the American-Israeli Plan to Divide Gaza with “Hamas”

The United States and Israel are studying a proposal to divide the Gaza Strip into separate zones.

The plan aims for Israel and Hamas to control different areas, with reconstruction focused only on the part controlled by Israel, as a temporary solution until the Palestinian movement is disarmed and removed from power, according to the Wall Street Journal.

During a press conference held in Israel, U.S. Deputy Vice President: JD Vance, and the President’s son-in-law: Jared Kushner, outlined the plan that aims to “expand the safe zone” inside Gaza, with the withdrawal of Israeli forces currently controlling about 53% of the sector.

Vance pointed to the existence of two zones in Gaza, “one relatively safe and the other very dangerous,” stressing that the goal is to geographically expand the scope of security. Kushner also stressed that any funds allocated to reconstruction will not be directed to Hamas-controlled areas, explaining that efforts will focus on building the “safe side” to provide jobs and livelihoods for Palestinians.

According to the newspaper, Arab mediators expressed concern about the American-Israeli proposal, considering that the division of Gaza could lead to a “permanent Israeli control zone” inside the sector. In contrast, a senior U.S. official stressed that the idea is “still preliminary” and an update will be presented in the coming days.

The idea mainly seeks to address the dilemma of disarming Hamas and forming an alternative authority capable of overseeing the sector and creating a safe environment for investment in reconstruction projects, estimated at billions of dollars. According to White House officials, Kushner is the driving force behind the “divided reconstruction plan,” which he formulated in cooperation with Special Envoy: Steve Witkoff, and received the support of President: Donald Trump, and his deputy: Vance.

Egypt and other Arab countries oppose the idea of ​​partition, fearing that it will turn into a permanent reality, especially in the absence of a clear vision to secure basic services in the areas that will be under Israeli control, or to ensure that Hamas elements do not infiltrate them. The idea of ​​an Israeli-supervised security screening program to ensure security has been raised.

Israeli analysts believe that the plan may weaken Hamas politically and militarily, as researcher Ofer Gueterman, from the Institute for National Security Studies, pointed out that “establishing areas under Israeli control may undermine Hamas’ influence and create a safe buffer zone on Israel’s borders.” Former officer Amir Avivi considered that the goal is not permanent division, but rather “pressure for disarmament,” noting that Israel may expand its control if Hamas does not step aside.

In contrast, researcher Tahani Mustafa, from the European Council on Foreign Relations, warned that “any plan to divide Gaza will face widespread rejection from the Palestinians.”

These moves come against the backdrop of a fragile U.S.-brokered truce that ended a two-year war between Israel and Hamas, whose terms include the recovery of hostage bodies and the introduction of aid in preparation for reconstruction.