While Israel awaits the release of 13 deceased hostages, Turkey and Qatar are already enjoying enhanced US military cooperation, a stake in the future political settlement and efforts to embed Hamas within Gaza's governing structures. The 80 Turkish "experts" dispatched to Gaza to "assist in locating the hostages" are just the beginning of what may become a long-term presence.
Trump stopped IAF over Iran, pushed Gaza ceasefire, reversed Israel's moves on humanitarian aid cuts. Netanyahu resisted but the president saved Israel from itself. "I love Israel, I'm with you all the way," Trump said – and meant it.
Even as this immediate crisis eases, we must look ahead to the fragile days of the ceasefire and keep our eyes wide open. We cannot forget that the chaperones of this agreement, particularly Qatar and Turkey, do not have Israel’s best interests at heart.
The deadly incident in Rafah is Israel’s first test following the hostages deal and Hamas’ return to the streets of the Gaza Strip. Israel’s desire to “Lebanonize” Gaza, meaning routinely eliminating terrorists, will not succeed. Gaza is not Lebanon.
As the annual Torah reading cycle begins anew, we are reminded that although the Torah is a book of laws, it opens with a sweeping preface. The first commentary by Rashi sheds light on both his era and ours, offering a strategic key in the global battle over historical truth. Just ask Dr. Yaakov Herzog, uncle of our current president.
While the parties in Gaza seek a fragile peace, extremism is reigniting in Italy. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations are degenerating, journalists are being attacked, and police officers are being injured. Landini's CGIL union is providing logistical support to radical movements, while opposition groups that have embraced pro-Palestinian views are watching in silence.
In the Trump deal they left a gap the size of Shalom Tower regarding the deceased hostages, and it was obvious that Hamas would go through it and squeeze the life out of us, keep assets we will not be able to recover, and Israel will now have to invent levers to fix that.
We must not live in illusions: Gaza remains under Hamas control, and the terrorist organization is already preparing the next attack. Israel should press to implement the deal — that would let it join the broader regional vision Trump described in the Knesset.
If in 2017 Donald Trump was seen by the West as a “mistake of history,” in 2025 he is the one shaping it. He now leads every global summit as the leader of the greatest power in the world — a leader one can stands behind, unquestioningly and without hesitation.
President Trump’s plan calls for civilian and security mechanism that will assume control of the Strip, but there's the chicken-and-egg dilemma: most potential participants will not commit forces to areas under Hamas control while it remains armed and dangerous.
