How Donald Trump pulled off his Gaza deal
It was a typically theatrical moment for the man who liked to boast in public that he was “peaceful”.
Donald Trump’s top diplomat interrupted a televised meeting at the White House to hand a note to the US president and whisper in his ear that a Gaza deal was close.
He soon announced the deal on the Truth Social network. “Blessed are the peacemakers!” he sent it.
But while the summit played out in front of reporters, including AFP journalists in the room, most of Trump’s efforts were behind the scenes to pressure a reluctant Benjamin Netanyahu and win Arab support.
– Pressure on Netanyahu –
Seeking an unlikely Nobel Peace Prize and eager to cement his legacy, Trump’s approach differed from the blank check he had previously given to key ally Israel.
When Trump hosted Netanyahu at the White House on September 29 to unveil his 20-point peace plan, he publicly gave the impression that he was fully behind the Israeli prime minister.
Trump said that if Hamas did not accept the plan, Israel would have its “full support to get the job done” and destroy the Palestinian militant group.
But in the private conversation, Trump was installing thumbscrews.
The plan he initially presented to Netanyahu and Israeli officials was drafted following extensive consultations with Arab and Muslim leaders at the United Nations last week.
When confronted with this situation, Netanyahu found that there were significant areas of the issue that he swore he would not concede, particularly because of his refusal to allow a Palestinian state.
– Arab unity against Qatar attack –
Trump was also privately angered by Israel’s attack on Hamas members in US-allied Qatar at a time when negotiations were at a sensitive stage. He used Arab unity against the attack and got them all to accept the plan.
He then ambushed Netanyahu and made him call the Qatari leader from the Oval Office and apologize. In a photo released by the White House, Trump can be seen holding a phone for Netanyahu while the Israeli leader reads a book from a piece of paper.
Politico reported that a senior Qatari official was also in the room during the meeting to ensure Netanyahu stuck to the script. Trump then signed an extraordinary order granting US security guarantees to Qatar.
This shift also reflects the close ties Trump has developed with Arab countries during both of his presidencies.
During his first term, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco signed the Abraham Accords, which recognized Israel.
This time, Trump’s first major trip abroad was to the Gulf countries Qatar, Egypt and Abu Dhabi, without stopping at Israel.
– Evaluating Hamas’ offer –
Trump increased the pressure and gave Hamas until October 5 to make a deal or it would go to “hell.”
Hamas has cunningly responded by exploiting Trump’s well-documented promise to release all hostages held in Gaza. Trump met with the hostages’ relatives several times at the White House.
Trump immediately considered this a victory.
He released a video message and, in an unprecedented step for a US president, rebroadcast his statement that Washington had designated the group as a terrorist organisation.
It was not mentioned that Hamas did not fully accept most of the other points in its plan.
But instead of arguing over the details, Trump quickly pushed Israel, Hamas and their negotiators to reach an agreement.
Trump told news outlet Axios that he told Netanyahu: “‘Bibi, this is your chance for victory.’ He was good at it. He shouldn’t have any problems with this. He has no choice. You should be fine when you’re around me.”
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