Donald Trump didn't realize how timely his threat to Hamas was when he spoke Thursday night at the Republican convention in Milwaukee. "We want our hostages back, and they better be back before I take office, or you'll pay a very heavy price," the Republican candidate sent a sharp message, greeted by cheers from thousands of delegates and guests at the convention.
The metaphorical pointing of the American gun at the burrow where Sinwar languishes is exactly the last thing the despicable murderer wants to hear these days, as in recent weeks he has already felt that the hourglass has flipped. Trump's words signal to him that he is on his way to a dead end.
"For most of the war months, Hamas thought time was on their side," explained an Israeli official familiar with the details. "They relied on American attention and were under the impression that the world would force Israel to stop the war. This did not happen, and moreover, the entry into Rafah cut off their oxygen to the world and deprived them of many assets.
"Now their assessment has reversed. They are under pressure, and therefore they are showing flexibility in negotiations and genuinely giving the impression that they want a deal. Not at any cost, but they want it," the official described the situation on Thursday morning, even before Trump spoke.
And then, at that exact moment, came the former and potentially future president, essentially setting a timetable for Hamas. 46 Americans have been killed in the ongoing war in the country. According to Republicans, the Democratic administration and American media obscure this fact to avoid creating the impression that the war is directly against the U.S. and not just against Israel.
Trump, in contrast, not only issues an ultimatum but also defines the hostages as "ours." He makes it clear to Sinwar that if he doesn't take what Israel is willing to give him now - and Israel is ready to give a lot - the psychopath from Gaza and his patrons in Tehran might find themselves in direct confrontation with a man whose toughness is now known worldwide. They will have to deal with Donald J. Trump, the man who took a bullet to the head, recovered in seconds, raised a fist in the air, and declared: "War."
So if Trump wins on November 5th - all signs indicate that this is likely, and this was certainly the atmosphere at the convention last week - the global and regional power structure will fundamentally change. All the players, foremost among them the Iranians behind the regional conflagration, are already recalculating their moves in light of this very likely scenario.
It's no coincidence that the Iranians are now shortening the ranges to nuclear breakout. It is better for them to confront a confused old president than an angry old redhead.
