The Gaza ceasefire deal, orchestrated by Trump and supported by complicit Arab nations, will not bring genuine liberation to the Palestinian people.
When US President Donald Trump went off script in his recent Knesset speech, he exposed more than just political missteps—it revealed the fragile foundations of the deal itself. Intended as a triumph for Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the speech celebrated victories over Hamas, Hezbollah, and even centuries of historical context, real or biblical.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, en route to meet Trump in Egypt, unknowingly witnessed the U.S. and Israel taking credit for ancient history—mocking the Roman Empire for expelling Jews 2,000 years ago. Trump punctuated this display with shocking truths: Israel’s dependence on American arms, Netanyahu’s pleas for weapons, and the influence of billionaire donors like Miriam and Sheldon Adelson in shaping U.S. policy.
Had anyone other than Trump revealed this, outrage would have followed immediately. Instead, Trump and the Knesset reveled in it, openly demonstrating how foreign policy is often dictated by wealth and influence.
The Sharm el-Sheikh summit only highlighted regional fragility. Key Arab leaders—Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed, Turkish President Erdogan, and Iraq’s Mohammed al-Sudani—either arrived late or abstained, revealing the tenuous support for the ceasefire and the Abraham Accords. Their actions underscore that regional decisions are motivated more by self-preservation than concern for Palestinians.
Despite the summit’s theatrics, Israeli forces quickly resumed operations in Gaza. Drones and tanks continued daily violations of the ceasefire, and aid remained restricted under pretexts tied to Hamas. Meanwhile, Hamas retained control over territory and hostages, demonstrating its resilience and organizational strength.
The ceasefire failed to achieve Israel’s strategic goals: expelling large portions of Gaza’s population and dismantling Hamas as a military force. Instead, the conflict’s focus returned to Gaza, keeping it in global view, while Netanyahu struggles to balance political survival with ideological objectives.
Palestinians now face a critical moment. Unlike the Oslo Accords, which sidelined Palestinian voices, this crisis exposes the inadequacy of their current leaders. Mahmoud Abbas and Hussein al-Sheikh no longer represent meaningful leadership, leaving the Palestinian people to take charge of their future. Rebuilding the Palestine Liberation Organisation and presenting new realities to Israel and international powers is urgent.
No external “white knight” will save Palestine. Gaza has shown that the only people capable of shaping their future are the Palestinians themselves. The path forward requires decisive action, unity, and resilient leadership amidst ongoing occupation and international inaction.
