Following a swift yet highly dramatic tour of the Middle East, President Donald Trump achieved a crucial diplomatic milestone: solidifying the ceasefire in Gaza. However, alongside his praise for a "historic dawn," Trump delivered a rigid ultimatum: Hamas must disarm, or face compulsion.
From Ceasefire to Ultimatum
President Trump's trip took place just hours after Israel and Hamas completed a successful exchange of hostages and prisoners, marking an end to the protracted conflict. At the summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Trump, alongside the leaders of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, signed a joint declaration, committing to act as guarantors for the Gaza ceasefire framework.
Trump hailed the moment as "a great day for the Middle East," asserting that the parties had achieved what everyone considered "impossible."
However, the "aura" of the agreement was paired with a clear ultimatum. President Trump stated unequivocally that if the Islamic movement Hamas did not voluntarily disarm, the United States and its regional partners would compel its disarmament.
This declaration is more than just a moral request; it stands as a non-negotiable condition for ensuring long-term peace. It reflects a shift in the U.S. approach, moving beyond merely ending the immediate conflict to focusing on eradicating the root cause of potential future warfare.
Balancing Coercion and Reconstruction
The disarmament mandate immediately establishes a key test for Trump's unique diplomatic style: blending potential military pressure with transactional diplomacy.
While the call for disarmament is intended to reassure Israel regarding security, Trump's public emphasis remains on the reconstruction of Gaza. He stressed that the top priority must be restoring basic necessities and infrastructure in Gaza, transforming the victory over terrorism on the battlefield into the ultimate reward of stability and prosperity.
Nevertheless, the path to sustained peace remains difficult:
Hamas Resistance: Hamas's refusal to disarm presents the largest immediate obstacle. Trump's threat requires substantial consensus among regional partners regarding the potential use of force if necessary.
The Palestine Question: Although the agreement does not focus on a two-state solution, the controversy surrounding a future Palestinian State remains a sensitive issue, particularly among a segment of the Israeli political establishment following the 2023 attack.
The Return of the Dealmaker Aura
The Middle East trip reaffirmed Trump's role as the "Great Dealmaker," ready to break traditional protocols to achieve an agreement. His public threat of mandatory disarmament is not only a message to Hamas but also an assertion of America's determination to reshape the regional order, centering dialogue and economic cooperation over violence.
The success of this ceasefire agreement will depend heavily on Trump's ability to sustain pressure while maintaining the cooperation of the Arab nations who signed the joint declaration.
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