Under the deal, Israel has 24 hours to pull back to a mutually agreed line within Gaza. Following this, Hamas will have 72 hours to release all remaining Israeli hostages, while Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
Here’s how Trump achieved a Gaza ceasefire that President Biden could not, and how his unconventional diplomacy helped secure the agreement.
Trump’s Gulf Connections Helped Secure the Breakthrough
A turning point came after an Israeli missile strike in Doha, which killed a Qatari citizen. Outraged, Trump issued an ultimatum to Netanyahu, demanding an end to the conflict.
Prior to this, Trump had supported Israel’s Gaza operations and its campaign against Iran. The Doha incident, however, shifted him closer to the Arab perspective on ending the war.
Trump’s longstanding business and diplomatic relationships with Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia proved decisive. His Abraham Accords, which normalized Israel’s relations with several Arab nations, helped create a foundation for cooperation.
During visits to Gulf capitals earlier this year, Trump repeatedly heard calls to halt the war. Less than a month after the Doha strike, Netanyahu apologized to Qatar and approved Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, endorsed by key Arab nations.
Analysts say Trump’s rapport with both Netanyahu and Gulf leaders allowed him to pressure Israel while securing Arab cooperation. His popularity in Israel, greater than Netanyahu’s, and his leverage with Hamas were crucial in achieving the deal.
A Relationship Biden Did Not Have
Trump shared an unusually strong bond with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
He moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognized West Bank settlements, and backed Israel militarily, including strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. These moves gave Trump leverage to privately pressure Netanyahu, even forcing ceasefires and policy shifts, such as halting attacks on Syrian forces after a church bombing. Analysts describe Trump’s assertiveness over Israel as unprecedented for a US president.
By contrast, Biden’s “bear hug” approach aimed to influence Israel privately while maintaining public support. However, Democratic divisions over Gaza and Biden’s cautious pro-Israel stance limited his effectiveness. During Biden’s term, Israel was not yet ready for a peace deal. By Trump’s second term, with Iran weakened, Hezbollah subdued, and Gaza devastated, Israel had achieved key strategic goals, enabling the ceasefire.
Unconventional Diplomacy, Conventional Results
Trump’s unorthodox approach often starts with bluster but delivers tangible results. His fiery rhetoric against North Korea, for example, eventually led to direct talks.
Even controversial suggestions, such as relocating Palestinians from Gaza, drew criticism, but his 20-point peace plan closely aligned with proposals that Biden or US allies might have suggested. Trump’s messy, unconventional diplomacy ultimately produced a conventional, pragmatic outcome.
Bold Diplomacy Reshaping Middle East Peace
Trump’s Gaza ceasefire demonstrates how personal ties, business relationships, and decisive action enabled him to succeed where others could not. By leveraging his credibility with Netanyahu and rapport with Arab leaders, he balanced pressure with persuasion, turning a crisis into an opportunity.
While often controversial, Trump’s style proved transactional, unpredictable, yet unexpectedly effective in resolving long-standing conflicts. The Gaza accord highlights his ability to achieve pragmatic peace through strategic timing and influence.
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