Arab countries oppose dividing the Gaza Strip into separate zones of control due to concerns over maintaining an Israeli presence, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing sources.

According to the report, Arab governments mediating peace in Gaza fear that part of the enclave could be controlled by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). They worry Israel might not fully withdraw its troops and could establish a zone of influence in Gaza.

The U.S. and Israel have proposed a Gaza reconstruction plan involving two zones, each to be overseen either by Israel or the Palestinian Hamas movement.

On October 6, delegations from Israel and Hamas resumed indirect negotiations on Gaza’s settlement, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, the U.S., and Turkey. On October 9, the parties signed an agreement to implement the first phase of a peace plan previously presented by U.S. President Donald Trump. The ceasefire in Gaza took effect on October 10.