President Donald Trump is employing a dual strategy of diplomacy and threats to end the Gaza war, praising a nearly-finalized peace plan as a “great deal for Israel” while warning Hamas of “complete obliteration.” The approach appears to be working, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirming the deal is “90 per cent done.”
The proposed accord, which Hamas has “basically” accepted, is built around a hostage-for-withdrawal agreement. All Israeli hostages would be freed in exchange for the Israeli military pulling back to the “yellow line,” its mid-August position.
A key component of the deal is a commitment to future stability. Rubio stated that Hamas has agreed “in principle” to engage in a plan for the aftermath of the conflict, addressing the long-term governance of Gaza. This is seen as essential for a lasting peace.
Trump’s hardline stance is designed to ensure Hamas’s compliance. His warning is coupled with the assurance that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supports the plan, creating a united front to push the deal over the finish line.
With the major points agreed upon, negotiators are now tackling the final logistical details. Rubio expects these talks to quickly reveal Hamas’s true intentions, potentially bringing an end to the two-year war through Trump’s carrot-and-stick approach.