Donald Trump's reported desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his Middle East diplomacy could be leveraged to secure a genuine ceasefire in Gaza, according to Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch. Writing in a commentary, Roth argues that Trump's self-interest in the prize may be the best hope for Palestinian rights amid ongoing Israeli military operations.
Roth notes that Trump currently endorses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strategy of using starvation and bombing to force Hamas to release hostages and disband its forces. Since the collapse of the ceasefire's second phase, which called for a complete Israeli withdrawal and permanent end to fighting, Israel has resumed attacks, killing about 600 Palestinians in less than a week. Netanyahu has unilaterally demanded hostage release and Hamas dismantlement without committing to end the war, a condition Hamas has rejected.
The commentary warns that Israel's true aim may be the forced expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, a war crime that Trump has endorsed by backing the permanent deportation of 2 million people. Far-right Israeli politician Itamar Ben-Gvir has rejoined the coalition as police minister, and Defense Minister Israel Katz has threatened to annex parts of Gaza. Roth suggests that a deal with Hamas is unlikely under these conditions, as capitulation would permanently separate Palestinians from their homeland.
Roth points out that Trump's resumption of 2,000lb bomb deliveries, suspended by Joe Biden for indiscriminate use, could expose Trump to International Criminal Court charges for aiding war crimes, limiting his travel to 125 ICC member states. However, Hamas has not succumbed to the military pressure, and Arab states reject another forced displacement. Roth concludes that Trump's Nobel ambition may push him toward a negotiated solution, as his self-interest often overcomes concern for others.
