Based on the diplomatic pattern observed in negotiations for achieving peace in the Gaza Strip, one could, without exaggeration, speak of a matter of global interest. Not only morally, but also regarding countries’ interests. In the negotiations orchestrated by the United States, mediators include a country from Africa (Egypt) and from Asia (Qatar), as well as a state with one European side, namely Turkey.
The issues that remain open are Hamas’s refusal to completely disarm, while it’s most likely that the assurances it requested about remaining safe and not becoming a target of Israeli attacks again, like Hezbollah after a peace agreement, will be honored.
Gaza peace negotiations: Positive signals Trump is receiving
Donald Trump gave Hamas a deadline to respond by last Sunday, January 5, regarding the 20-point plan, and reportedly showed leniency upon recognizing the organization’s desire to reach an agreement. The US President, according to international media, is the orchestrator of the negotiations for the agreement. Moreover, he himself speaks with both the Egyptian side and Qatar’s, since both communicate with Hamas officials.
Furthermore, Egypt and Qatar had conveyed to Hamas during Trump’s deadline period to accept the agreement. Additionally, mediators from both countries speak with the Israeli side to extract firm agreements on “withdrawal lines and implementation guarantees”.
Behind the scenes
At this stage of the impending agreement, the US chooses not to show its strength. In the diplomatic field, they focus on closing the deal – and traditionally this happens behind closed doors. This pattern explains the sudden trip of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, together with American envoy Steve Witkoff. Their presence alone makes the conclusion that an agreement is approaching and that US guarantees remain seem natural.
Sharm el-Sheikh could indeed be recorded in history for these negotiations, as happens with other cities. However, those who have issues with Hamas’s disagreements are likely the Israelis. They want, with Benjamin Netanyahu facing intense internal pressure, complete Hamas disarmament before promising safe passage. It’s reported that Trump himself is pressuring Netanyahu to accept the agreement with Hamas’s demands, which don’t stand as obstacles to the main plan.
The US’s key points – namely provisions for an “international ceasefire monitoring mechanism,” “timetable for Israeli forces’ withdrawal from specific Gaza areas,” and “unhindered humanitarian aid access” – find no stakeholder in disagreement.
Cautious optimism
The US, therefore, has no problem with the points Hamas disagrees on, but Israel – Netanyahu’s side and the far-right pressuring to bring him down – does. Trump and the mediators from Egypt and Qatar all appear to speak the same language. All sides have agreed on hostage release in Gaza, Israeli military withdrawal in due time, governance by an international committee the next day, and of course, humanitarian aid provision.
For the US, this seems like the first step toward comprehensive peace throughout the Middle East: what hasn’t been clarified is Iran’s role, but that’s a question for tomorrow. Everything now depends on completing negotiations and making Gaza a place of, if not peace, at least not war.
