Trump heads to Israel as Hamas prepares to free Israeli hostages from October 7 attacks after peace deal negotiations
Less than a day had passed since the ceasefire in Gaza when Israeli soldiers shot and killed a young Palestinian near the West Bank city of Jenin. The Israel Defense Forces said the man threw an explosive device at one of the brigades. Palestinians said he died during a raid to displace more people.
This was not just a violation of the ceasefire valid for Gaza. However, this was proof that conflict between Palestinians and Israelis could occur at any time. This was the kind of conflict that could suddenly break the ceasefire.
Displaced Palestinians carry their belongings as they walk along the coastal road in the central Gaza Strip on Saturday.Credit: access point
Independent monitors aim to demilitarize the region in some way, but David Butter, deputy director of Chatham House noted his absence “This risks creating a security vacuum in Gaza,” he wrote on the eve of the ceasefire of any enforcement mechanism.
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There are many parts to the peace plan Trump is putting forward, and the US president may have a fair claim to one day receiving the Nobel Peace Prize if his plan comes to fruition.
But the basic requirement is that Hamas and other groups agree that they will not take any role, directly or indirectly, in the governance of Gaza.
We’re not there yet. This should explain why Trump didn’t get the Nobel last Friday: It’s too early to know for sure whether the ceasefire is the beginning of a lasting peace. In any case, the award is given to the person who has done the most for peace “in the past year”.
The glorification of Hamas remains an obstacle to peace. In fact, any option that encourages Hamas to remain active in Gaza is a path to permanent war.
You can read more about this analysis from Europe correspondent David Crowe.
