Donald Trump's quick trip to Israel and Egypt was the victory lap he wanted. Anyone watching the speeches he made in Jerusalem and Sharm el-Sheikh could see a man luxuriating in his power - enjoying the applause in Israel's parliament, and in Egypt, basking in the fact that so many heads of state and government had flown in.
A veteran diplomat commented that it looked as if Trump viewed the world leaders present as extras on his film set.
His message at Sharm effectively stated that he had created a historical turning point: All I've done all my life is deals. The greatest deals just sort of happen… That's what happened right here. And maybe this is going to be the greatest deal of them all, he said.
Observers might conclude from his speeches that the job is done, but that’s not the case. Trump's claim to have effectively secured a ceasefire and hostage exchange is significant, yet experts caution against viewing this as a pathway to peace.
Key players in the region, such as Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt, contributed to the negotiations forcing Hamas to accept the deal. Trump's intervention, however, was deemed decisive. Without his push for terms initially rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this agreement may not have materialized.
Nonetheless, the agreement is not a peace deal or the beginning of a peace process. It merely lays out a ceasefire and a swap of hostages for prisoners. Future plans hinted by Trump remain vague, focused on a framework that calls for a demilitarized Gaza, but lacks clarity on implementation.
Crucially, there is no strong political will to create a genuine peace deal. Wars often end when opponents are worn out, and despite what Trump declared, the conflict in Gaza may not be resolved.
The reality on the ground starkly contradicts the optimistic messages from the summit. Ceasefires are often temporary, and early violations are common. Reports are already surfacing of tensions, with both sides exchanging blame and not fulfilling their obligations.
The fate of hostages remains uncertain, and as military actions reportedly continue, the ceasefire could face serious challenges ahead.
This situation underlines the complexity of achieving lasting peace in the Middle East. Although Trump positions himself as a peacemaker, the underlying issues far from resolved demand much more than just diplomatic visits and speeches.
