The Gaza mirage: Why Trump’s ceasefire promises face a harsh reality

Donald Trump, for whom image often trumps substance, has promised that Hamas will be disarmed as part of a ceasefire agreement. Yet the terrorist organisation appears willing only to surrender its heavy weaponry, presenting a fundamental obstacle to any genuine settlement in Gaza. This gap between the American president’s rhetoric and the ground reality in the Palestinian territory highlights the deep structural problems that continue to plague efforts at a lasting peace deal.

The incoming US administration has positioned itself as a potential broker for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Trump making bold claims about his ability to secure agreement from all parties. However, Hamas’s negotiating position suggests the group views any ceasefire as a temporary arrangement rather than a genuine end to hostilities. The organisation’s unwillingness to disarm completely contradicts Trump’s stated objectives and raises questions about whether any agreement could actually hold.

The issue of weaponry sits at the heart of the impasse. While Hamas may be prepared to mothball its most sophisticated military hardware—including long-range rockets and heavy explosives—it appears determined to retain the lighter arms necessary for maintaining internal control and deterrence against future Israeli operations. This selective disarmament approach would leave the group with the capability to resume fighting if circumstances change, fundamentally undermining any security arrangement Israel would likely accept.

For a genuine resolution in Gaza, both sides would need to make compromises that neither currently appears willing to make. Israel would need security guarantees that go far beyond symbolic weapons handovers, whilst Hamas would need to accept terms that represent a significant defeat. Trump’s focus on optics and quick wins may ultimately prove insufficient to bridge these chasms. The path to a real settlement remains as distant and difficult as ever.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.