For Donald Trump, securing a peace agreement—or even a lasting ceasefire between Israel and Hamas—could become the most significant diplomatic accomplishment of his presidency.
While the specifics and order of steps to end Israel’s war in Gaza remain unclear, the shared intent from both Israel and Hamas is significant. With political support from Arab nations and other regional powers, this agreement offers the best opportunity to halt the conflict since a previous ceasefire collapsed in March, plunging Gaza back into a devastating war that has claimed nearly 68,000 lives, mostly civilians.
Although there have been whispers of a deal since March, none have come this close. The initial phase of the peace plan, as Trump described in a Truth Social post, is simple: Hamas releases hostages in exchange for a partial Israeli military withdrawal. However, locating all hostages and coordinating Israel’s pullback could prove challenging.
True to the style of Trump’s presidency, optimism is expressed with grandiosity. He declared, “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!”
Many issues remain unresolved. The administration’s 20-point peace plan aims to balance ceasefire conditions with long-term conflict resolution. Key questions about Hamas’s future, including whether it will disarm, and Israel’s plans for Gaza’s governance, still need to be negotiated.
This isn’t the first attempt; the Trump administration rushed to end the Gaza war even before taking office, and a hastily arranged ceasefire in January failed over disagreements on the sequence of hostage releases.
Yet, this moment is critical. During an anti-antifa roundtable, Secretary of State Marco Rubio handed Trump a note urging, “Very close. We need you to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first.”
The end of Israel’s war in Gaza doesn’t require elaborate peace treaties or lengthy political debates. This situation is unique: a openly partisan and unpredictable U.S. president has used his erratic nature to keep both allies and adversaries guessing. Trump is also reportedly driven by a desire to be the first U.S. president since Barack Obama to receive a Nobel Peace Prize, which will be awarded on Friday. This ambition has influenced political calculations in Washington and across the Middle East.
Underlying tensions are evident. Hamas has called on Trump and others to ensure Israel fully adheres to the agreement, fearing that Israel might restart its offensive after hostages are returned. The group emphasized its commitment to Palestinian national rights, including freedom and self-determination—a goal rejected by Netanyahu and largely ignored by the White House.
Netanyahu faces his own political challenges. He plans to convene his government to approve the deal and bring the hostages home, but must contend with right-wing ministers like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, who have threatened to collapse the government over a ceasefire.
Trump has attempted…To push past these concerns forcefully, he warned that “all hell” would break out in Gaza against Hamas if his call for peace was ignored. When Netanyahu voiced skepticism about the agreement, Axios reports that he told the Israeli leader: “I don’t know why you’re always so negative… This is a win. Take it.”
The US president is reportedly set to visit the region this weekend to witness the signing of a deal. This is his opportunity, and it might take all of his personal credibility and sway to avoid another collapse in negotiations and a return to conflict, which would be a diplomatic setback for his administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the potential Gaza ceasefire agreement as a diplomatic success for Trump focusing on the challenges of implementation
General BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What is a ceasefire agreement
A ceasefire is a temporary halt in fighting between warring parties Its meant to stop the violence so that more permanent solutions can be discussed
2 Why would a Gaza ceasefire be a big deal for Trump
Brokering a ceasefire in a longstanding and highly visible conflict like the one in Gaza would be seen as a major foreign policy victory demonstrating his administrations ability to achieve what others have struggled with
3 Who are the main parties involved in this agreement
The primary parties are Israel and Hamas However other key players include the Palestinian Authority Egypt Qatar and the United States as the broker
4 What are the specifics or details everyone is talking about
The specifics are the precise terms of the deal Its not just about stopping rockets and airstrikes The real challenge lies in the details like the release of hostages lifting the blockade reconstruction aid and the longterm political future of Gaza
Intermediate Advanced Questions
5 Why is getting a deal on the specifics so difficult
The core demands of Israel and Hamas are often directly opposed Israels priority is security and the return of all hostages while Hamas demands a permanent end to the war a full Israeli withdrawal and a significant reconstruction process without giving up its armed power
6 What makes this different from previous ceasefires that have broken down
The scale of the destruction and loss of life in this conflict is much greater This creates pressure for a more durable solution but it also makes both sides more entrenched in their positions fearing that a misstep could be seen as a defeat by their own people
7 Could this lead to a lasting peace
A ceasefire is a first step not a peace treaty For it to lead to lasting peace it would need to be followed by incredibly difficult political negotiations about a twostate solution the status of Jerusalem and the right of return for Palestinian refugeesissues that have stalled for decades
8 What role does the US play after the ceasefire is signed
The US would likely act as a
