An Historic Opportunity to End the 2-Year War in Gaza

Last week, after demonstrating great patience with the conflict, President Trump offered a 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza and informed Hamas it has 72 hours to either accept his offer or be destroyed by Israel.  He further made clear that if Hamas doesn’t accept the plan or the plan simply unwinds that “Israel would have my full backing to finish the job of destroying Hamas” as he stood next to Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, at the White House.  That’s a strong statement.  And, as of this moment, Hamas has reportedly agreed to return the remaining hostages. We’ll see. 

For many months Trump has demanded that Hamas release all of the remaining hostages, including the remains of dead hostages, or face the full wrath of Israel.  Trump’s plan for that region includes him serving as the chair of a “Board of Peace” to oversee the interim governance of Gaza.  The plan also includes sending aid into the area with an Arab-led stabilization force that would quickly establish order. The plan now puts great pressure on Hamas to release all of the hostages and disarm. 

This is a really important opportunity for not only Israel and Gaza, but for the whole Middle East. 

Generally, the Trump deal, as outlined by the Wall Street Journal, is “better understood as a way to move the region past the Gaza War and shift pressure onto Hamas.”  Then “after a modest Israeli withdrawal, the deal requires Hamas to free all 48 Israeli hostages, dead or alive, within 72 hours of acceptance.” (WSJ, 9-30-2025).  In exchange, Israel will swallow very hard and itself release 1,700 Gazans detained since the beginning of the war as well as 250 terrorists serving life sentences for killing Israelis.  If this does not demonstrate great, good faith and tremendous sacrifice by Israel to achieve this peace, I can’t imagine what would.  

The Plan further requires that “Gaza undergoes de-radicalization … with all Gazans being allowed to leave, stay or return later.  Hamas members who disarm could be granted amnesty or leave Gaza, with Hamas having no role in governance.” (WSJ, Id.).   I also note that we have heard for years about the need for a “two state solution” such that there would end up being a Palestinian state.  I have never believed that was right or just given both the danger that a permanent proximity to Israel a Palestinian state would pose, and because the atrocities committed by Hamas against Israel would be rewarded by the creation of a Palestinian state.  I’m also suspicious of the two-state idea given that Palestinian leadership back at least to Yassar Arafat had many opportunities to reach peace and create the possibility of a Palestinian state but chose war and barbarism against Israel every time, instead.

There is no question where we are. 

The day after meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House Trump clarified on Fox News exactly what he meant:

“President Trump issued a blistering public warning to Hamas on Friday, saying the “ruthless” terrorist group will be “hunted down, and killed” unless they release the remaining Israeli hostages and reach an agreement by Sunday evening.” 

 “They will be given one last chance,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “THIS DEAL ALSO SPARES THE LIVES OF ALL REMAINING HAMAS FIGHTERS!”  “We will have PEACE in the Middle East one way or the other. The violence and bloodshed will stop,” Trump added. “RELEASE THE HOSTAGES, ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING THE BODIES OF THOSE THAT ARE DEAD, NOW! An Agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, D.C. time.”

In short, this peace deal would bring the October 7 hostages home, guarantee Israel’s security, and get rid of the threat of Hamas.  Again, they can either disarm and lead a better life or leave with safe passage to other countries, without making the creation of a Palestinian state a prerequisite.  Or they will be annihilated.  

If Hamas does not participate or continues to fight and terrorize Israel, Israel will crush Hamas. No country can expect to tolerate the atrocities of the kind that have been inflicted on Israel, most certainly including the slaughter of Oct. 7th.  If this succeeds it could bolster peace throughout the Middle East and strengthen and expand the Abraham Accords.

All Americans and citizens of the world should pray that this result is achieved.