A historic ceasefire deal to end the two-year war in Gaza has been reached, with US President Donald Trump playing a pivotal role. The breakthrough followed a sidelines meeting at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Trump presented a 20-point peace plan to Arab and Muslim states. The plan, which marked a shift from his earlier rhetoric, proposed that Gaza should be for Gazans and that Israel should not rule the territory.
Trump's change of heart was influenced by his son-in-law Jared Kushner and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. They convinced him to abandon the idea of displacing Palestinians and to focus on a 'day after' plan for Gaza's governance. This approach made it easier for Arab states to pressure Hamas into negotiations, as they could point to a path towards Palestinian statehood.
The deal also required Hamas to stand aside and disarm, with Arab states backing these demands. Trump's pressure on Israel was evident when he demanded an apology from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after an unauthorised bombing in Doha. Trump also issued an executive order treating any future attack on Qatar as an attack on the US, and told Israel there would be no further West Bank annexations.
The ceasefire agreement is seen as a collective effort, with many countries and individuals claiming a role. However, Trump's decisive involvement was key, with one negotiator describing him as 'like a juggernaut' once he decides to act. The deal is expected to bring an end to the conflict and pave the way for reconstruction in Gaza.
