The Islamic Jihad terror group has denounced U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly unveiled Gaza peace plan, warning it would only fuel further violence across the Middle East.
“It is a recipe for continued aggression against the Palestinian people. Through this, Israel is attempting, via the United States, to impose what it could not achieve through war,” the group said in a statement.
“Therefore, we consider the American-Israeli declaration a formula for igniting the region.”
On the ground in Gaza, residents expressed a mix of deep skepticism and fragile optimism over the proposal, which calls for a transitional Palestinian government led by technocrats, the release of all hostages, and the end of Hamas’s rule in the territory.
“It’s clear that this plan is unrealistic,” said Ibrahim Joudeh, 39, speaking from a makeshift shelter in the Al-Mawasi humanitarian zone.
“It’s drafted with conditions that the U.S. and Israel know Hamas will never accept. For us, that means the war and the suffering will continue.”
Abu Mazen Nassar, 52, feared the plan was designed to “trick Palestinian groups into releasing hostages with no guarantee to end the war,” calling it “manipulation” and “a farce.”
Others dared to hope. “Despite everything we’ve lived through and lost in this war, I still have hope,” said Anas Sorour, 31, a displaced street vendor from Khan Younis.
“No war lasts forever. God willing, this will be a moment of joy that makes us forget our pain.”
But many remain unconvinced. “I haven’t only lost faith in the deal; I’ve lost faith in life,” said Najwa Muslim, 29, who fled Gaza City for central Gaza.
“If there was a real intention to stop the war, they wouldn’t have waited this long.”
As Gazans debate whether Trump’s initiative offers a path to peace or more turmoil, militant factions like Islamic Jihad insist the proposal represents not an end to the conflict, but the beginning of a broader regional escalation.
Terror group reject Trump’s Gaza plan as Gazans voice doubts, faint hopes