(The Lion) — The big diplomatic guns were deployed to Egypt by the U.S. as a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas moves closer under the sponsorship of President Donald Trump.
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner arrived on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula on Wednesday morning after indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas made some progress.
Trump has ramped up pressure on Israel and allies of Hamas in the region to come to a lasting peace not just between the warring parties, but for the entire Middle East.
U.S. and Israeli sources agreed real progress would only be made when the U.S. delegation arrived, Axios reported.
Nonetheless, a cautious Trump expressed hopes a larger agreement could be reached.
“I think there’s a possibility that we could have peace in the Middle East” beyond just Gaza, Trump told reporters at the White House, according to Reuters.
A Palestinian official earlier told the BBC negotiations are centered on five main issues: establishing a permanent ceasefire, the return of Hamas-held Israeli hostages who have been kidnapped for more than two years, withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the delivery of humanitarian aid and Gaza’s post-war government.
Trump has repeatedly said the Israeli hostages need to be released immediately.
Last week, Trump warned Hamas’ failure to negotiate will result in more war, which would go hard on the Palestinian terror group.
“We will have PEACE in the Middle East one way or the other. The violence and bloodshed will stop. RELEASES THE HOSTAGES, ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING THE BODIES OF THOSE THAT ARE DEAD, NOW!” said Trump in a social media message.
The president noted all the major countries guaranteeing the agreement have already approved the outline of a deal.
“If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas,” he added.
On Sept. 29, Trump went public with a 20-point plan for peace which promised “to build a better Gaza.”
Included in the plan is an Arab-led international stabilization force (ISF), a redevelopment board headed by Trump and former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair to govern the territory, and a plan to rebuild Gaza under the model of successful Arab cities such as Dubai.
But even if Hamas doesn’t agree to peace, Trump is hoping Israel will turn over territory it already occupies for redevelopment under the ISF.
“In the event Hamas delays or rejects this proposal, the above, including the scaled-up aid operation, will proceed in the terror-free areas handed over from [Israel] to the ISF,” the plan said.
Trump is banking on his warm relationship with Qatar to dry up support for Hamas financially.
Qatar has sent $1.8 billion in aid to Hamas since it took over governing in Gaza.
Ironically, an attack by Israel on Hamas in Doha, Qatar, pushed forward the peace plan, reported Axios in an exclusive.
“The failed Doha attack [by Israel] changed the regional dynamics and opened the door for a real discussion about how to end the war in Gaza,” a U.S. official told Axios.
The Trump team used the resulting diplomatic jumble to press Israel and Hamas for a take-it-or leave-it deal.
“If you accept this plan and Hamas rejects it, I will give you full backing to continue fighting them,” Trump told Netanyahu.
Other Islamic countries such as Turkey, which supports Hamas, have signed on to the agreement.
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani is expected to join Wednesday’s talks, alongside the heads of Turkish and Egyptian intelligence.
Israeli Senior Adviser Ron Dermer, who has served as the top official in negotiating for the release of hostages, is also taking part in the discussions.
