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.

In a recent episode of Breaking Points, hosts Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti delved into the controversy surrounding an unpublicized U.S. initiative, which they condemned as both imperialistic and a threat to democratic processes.

The Wall Street Journal disclosed the plan under the headline A U.S. Plan Splits Gaza in Two—One Zone Controlled by Israel, One by Hamas. This strategy proposes a geographical division of Gaza, assigning substantial control to Israeli forces and leaving a smaller segment under Hamas, pending total demilitarization. The majority of reconstruction assistance would be funneled into areas dominated by Israel, effectively cementing Israeli influence over most of Gaza.

Israeli journalist Barak Ravid verified the authenticity of the leaked information, pointing out that “diplomatic cables” with the plan’s details were inadvertently shared with allied nations before any official announcement.

Saagar Enjeti voiced strong criticism regarding the covert nature of this significant proposal, stating, “This is a prime example of Washington shaping another nation’s future without their input.” He further argued, “The U.S. administration is behaving more like a colonial ruler than a democratic ally,” denouncing the plan as fundamentally “undemocratic” and likening it to crafting “occupation blueprints” in secrecy.

Krystal Ball underscored the dangerous implications of the plan, drawing parallels to past U.S. military interventions. She remarked, “Reflecting on Iraq or Afghanistan, these so-called ‘temporary’ arrangements tend to become indefinite. This document is not a peace plan but a guide to perpetual control.”

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.”