Cliff Notes
- Donald Trump‘s unorthodox diplomatic style and a recent 20-point peace plan have led to a potential breakthrough in negotiations with Hamas, albeit with mixed responses.
- In a significant shift, Trump has demanded that Israel immediately halt its bombing of Gaza, marking a rare public call for restraint from a U.S. president.
- While Hamas’s response included conditional acceptance of the plan, Trump interprets it as a positive step towards a lasting peace in the region.
Gaza latest: Trump tells Israel ‘stop bombing Gaza’ as Hamas agrees to release hostages
We are in the endgame. Nearly exactly two years since the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023, it looks like we are on the brink of a breakthrough.
The diplomacy of the past 12 hours has been head-spinning and uniquely Trumpian. Assuming everything holds, this is Donald Trump’s success. It is the consequence of his unorthodox style, his ability to call the shots and crucially his willingness to do so now.
The tragedy is that it could have happened many months ago. But that doesn’t make it any less significant a moment now.
Word came from Hamas late yesterday afternoon, Washington time, that the group had responded to Trump’s 20-point plan for peace in Gaza, which he unveiled at the White House on Monday.
Within minutes, the US president had posted the Hamas response on his own social media. It was clear from the wording of the Hamas statement that it was by no means an unequivocal acceptance of the 20-point plan.
But then, via his press secretary, again on social media, a clear indication that the US president was reading the Hamas statement as an acceptance of his deal even though, in black and white, it falls short of that.
“President Trump responds to Hamas’ acceptance of his Peace Plan,” Karoline Leavitt wrote.
Hamas had basically said “yes, but” to Trump’s 20-point plan, and yet intriguingly Trump was choosing to take it as an acceptance of his plan.
Then, moments later, the president spelt it out, again on social media, and with game-changing demands – not for Hamas, but for Israel.
“Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”
This was a remarkable statement and represents a huge moment. Neither Trump, nor Joe Biden before him, has ever asked this of Israel before. The American president was telling Israel to stop; to stand its military down and to bring this war to an end. Extraordinary.