Israel rejected a Gaza peace plan announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, March 10, 2026 [1].
The rejection signals a significant diplomatic impasse in the effort to end the conflict in Gaza. It highlights the divide between U.S. mediation efforts and the Israeli government's security requirements for ending military operations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli government will not agree to the proposal under current terms. He said that Israel would not withdraw from the territory until Hamas is fully disarmed [1]. While some reports suggested an outright rejection of the plan, the Prime Minister's office said that disarmament remains the primary prerequisite for any withdrawal [1, 3].
Simultaneously, diplomatic efforts are shifting toward the Strait of Hormuz. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said that Iran and Oman are close to finalizing an agreement that would reopen the waterway for commercial traffic [2]. The strait is a critical global chokepoint, as approximately 20% of global oil shipments pass through the corridor [2].
The move to reopen the strait follows a period of heightened tensions that threatened international energy markets. However, the European Commission has expressed opposition to certain terms of the negotiations. A spokesperson for the commission said the body has rejected any joint venture that would charge vessels for crossing the Strait of Hormuz [4].
These dual developments reflect a fragmented Middle East landscape. While potential progress is being made on maritime trade routes, the core conflict in Gaza remains stalled over the fundamental issue of Hamas's military capabilities.
“"We will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed."”
The simultaneous rejection of the Gaza plan and the negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz illustrate two different tiers of Middle East diplomacy. The Gaza conflict remains a zero-sum security struggle where disarmament is a non-negotiable demand for Israel. In contrast, the Strait of Hormuz negotiations are driven by global economic necessity, as the international community seeks to protect the flow of oil regardless of political tensions between Iran and the West.
