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. But, as with most diplomatic achievements, there were also factors at play beyond control of either man. 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'. Actions have reflected these warm words, with Trump previously moving the US embassy to Jerusalem and supporting Israeli military actions. Ultimately, it was Trump’s established relations with Gulf states and pressure on Netanyahu following aggressive Israeli actions that galvanized support for the peace deal. This unprecedented pressure, along with changes in the geopolitical landscape and evolving international relations, suggests that Trump's unconventional approach may have finally broken a historically entrenched stalemate, illustrating a possible pathway to peace in Gaza.