Muslim Nations Rally Behind Trump's Gaza Peace Plan: International Support and Local Skepticism

Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu (L) shake hands at the end of a press conference at White House.

Major Muslim nations endorsed US President Donald Trump's Gaza war resolution plan on Monday, despite some Palestinians criticizing it as a "farce".

Western allies urged Hamas to accept the proposal, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed support and warned the Palestinian militant group of further destruction if they refused to comply.

Eight Arab or Muslim-majority countries released a joint statement saying they "welcome the role of the American president and his sincere efforts aimed at ending the war in Gaza."

These nations affirmed "their readiness to engage positively and constructively with the United States and the parties toward finalising the agreement and ensuring its implementation."

The coalition includes Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey - all of which recognize Israel, though some relationships remain tense.

Qatar, which has played a key mediatory role, and Saudi Arabia, whose potential normalization with Israel represents a significant objective for both Trump and Netanyahu, also joined the statement.

Indonesia and Pakistan, the world's two most populous Muslim-majority nations, added their support as well. Indonesia has offered peacekeeping troops for a future Gaza force, while Pakistan has been working to improve relations with Washington.

Trump praised Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's statement on X (formerly Twitter), posted before the White House announcement, expressing his "firm belief that President Trump is fully prepared to assist in whatever way necessary" to end the conflict.

The Palestinian Authority quickly offered support, welcoming Trump's "sincere and determined efforts."

Hamas has not yet provided detailed comments, stating they had not received the plan.

However, Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian militant group fighting alongside Hamas in Gaza, criticized the plan as "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 stated.

Gaza residents expressed skepticism about the proposal, with 52-year-old Abu Mazen Nassar saying, "We as a people will not accept this farce," viewing it as a ploy to secure hostage releases without ending the war.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently met with Trump, noted that the United States was incorporating elements of a French plan, despite disagreements over France's recognition of a Palestinian state.

Macron praised Trump's "commitment to ending the war in Gaza" and insisted that "Hamas has no choice but to immediately free all hostages and follow this plan." He also called for Israel's resolute commitment to the proposal.

The plan includes establishing a transitional governing body in Gaza led by Trump and involving former British prime minister Tony Blair.

Blair stated, "President Trump has put down a bold and intelligent plan which, if agreed, can end the war, bring immediate relief to Gaza, the chance of a brighter and better future for its people, whilst ensuring Israel's absolute and enduring security and the release of all hostages."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government, which has faced criticism for its cautious approach, also commended Trump's diplomatic efforts.

In an official statement, Italy urged "all sides to seize this opportunity and accept the plan."

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described the Trump plan as offering "a unique opportunity to end the terrible war in Gaza" and noted, "Finally, there is hope for Israelis and Palestinians that this war could soon be over."