“Don’t Be Deceived”: Qatari Professor Urges Hamas to Reject Trump’s Gaza Proposal.
A prominent Qatari academic with significant influence in regional policy circles has issued a stark warning to Hamas regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 20-point plan for Gaza, labeling the initiative a “problematic trap” that could severely undermine Palestinian interests.
The critique, reported by Al Jazeera English on September 30, 2025, comes from Professor Sultan Barakat of Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar. As an expert in conflict resolution and Middle Eastern politics, Barakat’s analysis carries considerable weight and presents a significant diplomatic hurdle for the Trump administration’s latest foray into Middle East peacemaking.
While the full details of the 20-point plan remain only partially disclosed, it is understood to encompass security, economic, and governance components aimed at achieving long-term stability. However, Barakat’s central argument is that the proposal is fundamentally imbalanced.
READ: Global Sumud Flotilla: Over 50 Aid Ships Nearing Gaza, Israel Prepares Naval Interception
He asserts that the plan’s terms appear to disproportionately favor Israeli security and political priorities at the expense of genuine Palestinian autonomy. By advising Hamas not to be “deceived” by the proposal, Barakat implies that the plan may contain clauses that are detrimental to Palestinian sovereignty and future bargaining power, presenting a facade of pragmatism that masks one-sided concessions.
The warning places Hamas in a delicate position. As the governing authority in Gaza, the group faces immense internal pressure to secure relief for a population enduring a severe humanitarian crisis, including the urgent need for reconstruction and unimpeded aid delivery. Externally, it is under constant military and economic pressure.
Trump’s plan, likely touted by its supporters as a pragmatic framework to end cycles of violence, may appear to offer a path toward immediate tangible benefits. Yet, Barakat’s analysis reinforces the fears of many critics who argue that the plan may overlook core issues of Palestinian self-determination. His “ill-advised” label serves as a powerful counter-narrative, urging Hamas to prioritize long-term strategic goals over short-term necessities.
READ: An Unlikely Endorsement: Russia Backs Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan
This development is set against the backdrop of Trump’s previous diplomatic ventures in the region, notably the Abraham Accords, which reshaped alliances by normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab nations. The current proposal appears to be an attempt to build on that legacy.
However, Barakat’s very public critique, emanating from Qatar—a key mediator with channels to Hamas—signals strong skepticism within influential quarters of the Arab world. It suggests that despite the Trump administration’s efforts, achieving “buy-in from all stakeholders,” as the article notes, will be an uphill battle.
For the plan to have any chance of success, it may require significant diplomatic refinements to address the core concerns about equity and autonomy that experts like Barakat have raised. As the international community watches, the fate of this proposal may hinge on whether it is seen as a genuine framework for peace or, as the Qatari professor warns, a problematic trap.
