President Donald Trump is employing a dual strategy of diplomatic incentives and stark warnings to finalize a deal to end the two-year war in Gaza. He has praised the U.S.-brokered framework as a “great deal for Israel” while simultaneously threatening Hamas with “complete obliteration” if they fail to comply.
This carrot-and-stick approach appears to be yielding results. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the deal is “90 per cent done” and that Hamas has “basically” agreed to the proposal. The agreement paves the way for the release of all Israeli hostages, a top priority for the Trump administration.
The core of the deal is a trade: Israeli forces will withdraw to the “yellow line,” their mid-August position, and in return, Hamas will free all captives. Rubio confirmed that negotiators are now focused on the final logistical arrangements for this exchange, with the expectation of rapid progress.
The framework extends beyond a simple ceasefire. It includes a tentative agreement from Hamas to participate in planning for Gaza’s future after the conflict. This element is crucial for establishing long-term stability and is a key part of Trump’s broader vision for the region, which he states has the support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
With the major components seemingly in place, the world now waits to see if Trump’s high-pressure tactics will successfully push the deal over the finish line. The coming days, filled with technical talks, will reveal whether Hamas is genuinely committed to peace or if they will risk the dire consequences outlined by the US President.
Trump’s Dual Strategy for Gaza: A ‘Great Deal’ Backed by a Stark Warning
