Arab states are consolidating plans to ease the conflict between Israel and the radical Palestinian movement Hamas. A major regional initiative is under discussion, aimed at reducing tensions and preventing a broader regional crisis in the Middle East, according to a high-ranking Arab official.
The forthcoming plan, expected to be presented within weeks, seeks to lower the intensity of hostilities between Israel and Hamas and to avert a wider regional confrontation. The strategy also involves securing consent from Western powers to recognize a Palestinian state or to grant it full membership in the United Nations. Arab policymakers report that they have already briefed Washington and European capitals on the anticipated proposal.
Recent reporting suggests that Israel and Hamas are far from reaching a durable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The situation in the region worsened on October 7 when thousands of Hamas supporters crossed into Israel from Gaza. In response, the Israeli government declared a state of war and moved quickly to restore security and neutralize threats.
Israel launched extensive military operations with the aim of repelling the attack, rescuing more than 200 hostages, and dismantling Hamas’s infrastructure. To pressure Hamas, Israel initiated large-scale rocket fire into Gaza from the outset of the operation. Additionally, the National Security Council authorized disruptions to civilian supplies in the Gaza Strip, including water, food, fuel, and electricity, to curb militant capabilities and push for a swift conclusion to the threat.
By late October there were announcements about expanding ground operations in Gaza, signaling a shift in tactics and goals for the campaign. The humanitarian situation remained dire, and multiple parties explored pauses to allow aid and hostage considerations. A ceasefire framework was discussed in late November, with a formal agreement signed and entering into effect in late November or early December, followed by a briefing period during which hostage releases and humanitarian access were negotiated and evaluated.
There have also been strategic discussions at higher levels about the long-term trajectory of conflict management in the region, including the possibility of extended political and security arrangements that could shape the Middle East for years to come.