Internal U.S. documents revealing a controversial plan to divide Gaza into zones controlled by Israel and Hamas were accidentally exposed, sparking new criticisms of the Trump administration’s Middle East strategy.
The revelation was dissected in a recent Breaking Points episode, where hosts Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti criticized the undisclosed plan as an undemocratic and imperial overreach.
The Wall Street Journal reported the plan, titled A U.S. Plan Splits Gaza in Two—One Zone Controlled by Israel, One by Hamas, which envisions Gaza being divided geographically—with a significant portion under Israeli military and administrative control and a smaller section still technically run by Hamas “until full demilitarization” can be enforced. Reconstruction aid would be concentrated in the Israeli-controlled zone, effectively reinforcing permanent Israeli authority over much of Gaza.
Israeli journalist Barak Ravid confirmed the leak’s authenticity, noting the “diplomatic cables” containing the outline had been “unintentionally published” to allied governments before any public explanation.
Breaking Points analyzes how leaked details of a U.S. “master plan” expose Washington’s intent to divide Gaza into zones of control, raising fears of a lasting occupation and the erosion of Palestinian self-rule.
In discussing the leak, Saagar Enjeti expressed disdain for the secretive handling of such a transformative plan: “This is a classic example of Washington deciding the future of another people without their consent.” He continued, “The U.S. government is acting like a colonial administrator, not a democratic partner,” emphasizing that the plan was “undemocratic to the core” and amounted to drafting “occupation blueprints” behind closed doors.
Krystal Ball highlighted the perilous nature of the plan, comparing it to previous U.S. military occupations overseas. She said, “If you look back at Iraq or Afghanistan, these ‘temporary’ plans always extend indefinitely. This document is a roadmap not to peace, but to permanent control.”
The hosts agreed the plan signals a fundamental shift: U.S. involvement in Gaza would no longer be as a mediator, but as a direct manager of territories. Ball noted, “The idea that American taxpayers would fund such an occupation while most of the public remains unaware is deeply troubling.”
Saagar also discussed the political fallout, noting the regional rejection of population relocation ideas that reportedly formed part of the discussions. “Egypt has already made it clear it won’t take in Gaza refugees, and Jordan and Turkey have condemned the plan as destabilizing,” he said.
The episode further criticized the Biden administration’s claims of promoting peace, with Krystal stating, “This leaked plan reveals a policy centered on control and division, not on a just resolution.” Saagar called the diplomatic leak a “trial balloon,” suggesting it was sent out to gauge international and domestic reactions before formal rollout.
While the exact motivations of the White House remain unclear, the hosts connected the strategy with prior comments by President Donald Trump, who in 2025 had publicly floated the idea of “taking over” Gaza, which was previously dismissed as rhetoric. The secrets revealed by these documents now show significant overlap with those earlier declarations.
The episode concluded with a warning about the pattern of U.S. foreign policy: Saagar remarked, “This kind of secret governance plan, without democratic oversight, is antithetical to American values.” Krystal agreed, adding, “People didn’t vote for empire-building. Yet again, we find ourselves writing blueprints for another occupation while the public is kept in the dark.”
