https://arab.news/9w73x
The Gaza ceasefire is shaky but is holding despite some serious violations by Israel. Since the truce came into effect, Israel has killed tens of Palestinians in Gaza, carrying out multiple airstrikes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to resume the war and peddled excuses to block the delivery of aid and keep the Rafah crossing point closed. But he is facing pressure from Israel’s closest ally: Donald Trump.
The US president and his team of interlocutors have made it clear to Netanyahu that he should not think of endangering the plan that Trump committed to in front of world leaders at Sharm El-Sheikh. The message to Netanyahu is clear: the war has ended.
And while the US is keeping Netanyahu at bay, Trump has also threatened Hamas with dire consequences if it does not keep its side of the bargain. So far, the militant movement has shown that it is committed to the 20-point plan, at least delivering on its obligations under the first phase.
But Trump and his team are weary of Netanyahu. The president sent his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, back to Israel ahead of Vice President J.D. Vance’s crucial visit to Tel Aviv. Vance’s main mission is to shore up the Gaza truce and prevent Netanyahu from collapsing the fragile ceasefire.
