The American plan to end the war succeeded in drawing both sides to Cairo but will likely end with only a partial deal. Israel’s assumption that rejecting the proposal would grant legitimacy to continue fighting has fallen flat. The terrorist organization, Hamas, intends to toss the burning issues into a futile process, while mediators try to impose their own reality.
Reporters and commentators have had to eat their hats before the studio lights even dimmed, following the dizzying U-turns in President Donald Trump’s statements. Yet despite everything, Israel remains adamant that when the moment of truth comes, Trump will stand by its side and deliver.
The deal to end the war in Gaza could be interpreted in Tehran as an overarching strategic move directed against the Islamic Republic. Internal pressure on Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to launch a surprise attack on Israel may now intensify.
Hamas views President Trump’s proposal as a "surrender plan," but it risks regional isolation and would legitimize a continuation of the war. With every senior commander eliminated, the idea of running Gaza behind the scenes "in the day after" is losing relevance.
For the first time in nearly two years, a plan has been developed by President Trump's administration that has won support from Arab states and Israel.
To move forward, the prime minister will need to convince his ministers that his acceptance of the American proposal is merely lip service meant to buy time and secure political maneuvering. Meanwhile, Israel’s future military control of Gaza remains unclear.
The agreement reached at the Trump-Netanyahu meeting may not be perfect, but it is one Israel can live with. The real challenge lies in implementation. Will Hamas agree to the deal and release our hostages? Will it truly disarm? Will it refrain from returning to power? While the declaration of the war’s end is stirring, hard battles may still lie ahead.
The next war could be harsher and more violent, and the likelihood of such a conflict is growing as diplomatic efforts reach a dead end. Israel must not underestimate the Islamic Republic. If there is one lesson from recent history, it is that Iran's regime is stronger than many believed.
The State of Israel should use every lawful tool at its disposal to ensure that the boats the rioters arrived in are seized or sunk. Israel has the right to defend itself and its sovereignty, and it must act forcefully to exercise that right.
The recent saga over loudspeakers in Gaza proves the prime minister and his gimmick-focused advisers' have lost their senses; it's time for him to step up to the plate and show leadership by finalizing a deal.