Trump’s Intervention: Path to Peace or Political Ploy?

President Donald Trump has asked Israel to stop its bombing of Gaza following Hamas’s agreement to release hostages and part of a U. S. peace plan, suggesting that the ongoing conflict, which has lasted two years, might end soon. Israel plans to implement the first stage of the peace plan, which was approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a recent visit to Washington. However, challenges remain, such as an unclear timeline for the plan, potential logistical issues due to Gaza’s destruction, and unresolved topics like Hamas’s disarmament and Israel’s withdrawal.

Previous ceasefires have failed, as Israel resumed its offensive shortly after peace efforts. Although some Israeli strikes continue, the situation appears calmer compared to earlier intense bombardments. Trump’s commitment to end the conflict is reflected in his 20-point plan, which he described as a step towards broader peace in the Middle East, beyond just the Gaza issue. However, this proposal comes after previous ceasefires failed, raising concerns about the sustainability of any new agreement.

Hamas’s response did not address several critical points, including its stance on disarmament, a major demand of Trump’s plan. Netanyahu’s approval of the plan is notable, even though it may lead to a possible future Palestinian state, which he has previously opposed. Additional sticking points involve the timing and borders for an Israeli withdrawal and governance issues in the region.

Oren Setter, a senior fellow, remarked that Trump’s achievement in getting all parties to engage with the plan is significant, emphasizing that this is just the beginning of the process. The plan states that the war will end once both sides agree, but Hamas did not fully accept all 20 points, suggesting it would negotiate further through mediators.

The framework includes a provision for the release of all hostages within 72 hours of Israel’s acceptance, but the start of the deadline is unclear. Although retrieving living hostages is expected to be easier, recovering deceased hostages from the rubble of Gaza might take longer. Currently, 48 hostages remain in Gaza from the initial 251 taken by Hamas during an attack in October 2023.

Both Israel and Hamas are responding positively to Trump’s requests but must consider their political situations. Netanyahu’s agreement might be strategic, as he wishes to maintain a good relationship with Trump while trying to avoid upsetting his hardline coalition supporters who oppose any concessions to the Palestinians. On the other hand, Hamas’s agreement to release hostages, while leaving many issues open, redirects the focus to Arab mediators involved in negotiations, like Qatar and Egypt, who are advocating for an end to the conflict.

Hamas acknowledged the need for a hostages exchange but pointed to unspecified “field conditions” necessary for the process. It accepted the framework for Israel’s full withdrawal but made vague references to the actual terms. The group expressed its intention to hand over Gaza’s administration to a Palestinian authority but did not comment on demilitarization, a demand in Trump’s plan that Hamas previously resisted.