Late Wednesday, October 8, President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social that Hamas had agreed to the first stages of the frankly audacious peace plan proposed by the commander-in-chief less than two weeks ago. And while in this particular part of the world nothing is ever settled until it’s settled (and sometimes not even then), an end to the violence and bloodshed in Gaza appears finally within reach.
Years of diplomacy from multiple nations have failed to reach an accord, but what makes this time seem unique is that the president has brought the full force of his will to the matter. As images of both Israelis and Gazans celebrating in the streets are released, this time feels somewhat different.
While overseeing a conference on Antifa violence yesterday, Trump asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio if there had been any developments. Rubio slipped the president a note – caught on camera – which had the words “very close” at the top. After several more questions, Trump went for a briefing and a short time later, announced:
“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”
As further details emerge, it appears that all 48 hostages held by Hamas will be released on or by Monday, and Israeli leadership will vote to approve the return of Palestinian prisoners today, October 9.
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Saudi television noted this morning that activity within Gaza suggests hostages are being prepared for handover. Arab leaders are congratulating all parties on this first step toward peace, and Israeli forces are reportedly pulling back and adopting a defensive position.
A number of factors, some more important than others, culminated in bringing Israel and Hamas to this early stage of peace: Qatar and other Arab nations leaning on its client, Trump eliciting a fragile apology from Benjamin Netanyahu, and ultimately – with the destruction of its nuclear program – showing Iran that it does not have the power it has so wildly claimed.
The idea that Hamas would even be at the table if its backers were not at least partially on board is spurious at best.
CNN, no fan of 47, reported, “It is too early to declare the war over. A number of issues remain outstanding, and further negotiations could uncover unbridgeable gaps between the two sides,” but it continued:
“Yet after months of false hope, stalled progress and entrenched positions, the agreement was a clear victory for a president who has, in recent weeks, seemed intent on willing his plan into reality.”
The network channel outlined the multiple steps Trump has pushed – often appearing counterintuitive – to essentially force the rest of the world to adopt his view.
It has been just over two years since Hamas launched its brutal attack. The fighting has since been continuous and bloody. But it was not new. When a country has to name its wars by the year they took place, it’s a good sign that hostilities have never really ceased.
Support for Trump’s 20-point peace plan is wide-ranging and bipartisan but tempered with distrust that Hamas will relinquish its remaining power. Yesterday’s announcement was just the first point, and there are many opportunities for collapse along the way. The difference this time appears to be that Hamas is finally isolated from its allies.