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Trump's Unique Diplomatic Maneuver Concludes Gaza Conflict
• Politics, Opinion, Trump, Gaza, Biden, Israel, Hamas, peace deal, hostages, Middle East, Netanyahu, diplomacy, echosphere.news, Trump's Unique Diplomatic Maneuver Concludes Gaza Conflict
In a surprising turn of events, Trump's efforts lead to a significant peace proposal in the ongoing Gaza conflict, gaining traction where Biden's administration struggled. Learn how strategic relationships and unconventional diplomacy achieved this breakthrough.
At the time, Israel's air strike against the Hamas negotiating team in Qatar seemed like yet another escalation that pushed the prospect of peace further away.
The attack on 9 September violated the sovereignty of an American ally and risked expanding the conflict into a region-wide war.
Diplomacy appeared to be in ruins.
Instead it turned out to be a key moment that has led to a deal, announced by President Donald Trump, to release all remaining hostages.
This is a goal that he, and President Joe Biden before him, had sought for nearly two years.
It is just the first step towards a more durable peace, and the details of Hamas disarmament, Gaza governance and full Israeli withdrawal remain to be negotiated.
But if this agreement holds, it could be Trump's signature achievement of his second term - one that eluded Biden and his diplomatic team.
Trump's unique style and crucial relationships with Israel and the Arab world appear to have contributed to this breakthrough.
However, as with most diplomatic achievements, there were also factors at play beyond either man's control.
In public, Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are all smiles.
Trump likes to say that Israel has no better friend, and Netanyahu has described Trump as Israel's greatest ever ally in the White House. These sentiments have been matched by actions.
During his first presidential term, Trump made significant shifts in US policy towards Israel, including moving the embassy to Jerusalem and supporting Israel's stance against Palestinian assertions regarding West Bank settlements.
When Israel began its air strikes against Iran in June, Trump ordered US bombers to target the nation’s nuclear facilities with its most powerful conventional bombs.
Those public demonstrations of support may have given Trump the room to exert more pressure on Israel behind the scenes.
According to reports, Trump's negotiator, Steve Witkoff, pressured Netanyahu into accepting a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages.
When Israel launched strikes against Syrian forces in July, Trump urged Netanyahu to change course.
Trump exhibited a degree of pressure on an Israeli prime minister that is virtually unprecedented, according to experts.
Biden's relationship with Netanyahu's government was more fragile, marked by his administration's attempt to publicly embrace Israel while moderating its actions in private.
Ultimately, strategic misalignments and differing domestic politics shaped the outcomes of their respective tenures concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The agreement, which includes the release of Palestinian prisoners and an end to hostilities, marks a pivotal shift, pointing towards a potential resolution after years of conflict.
This new diplomatic landscape underscores the profound complexities of international relations in the Middle East, where old alliances and historical grievances continuously shape the possibilities for peace.