What does Trump’s role in the Gaza deal mean for his presidency?

while Agreement to stop the war in Gaza More importantly for its ability to save the lives of Israeli hostages and Palestinian civilians, it could also become a personal political victory for US President Donald Trump.

By brokering the agreement, Trump achieved what is arguably the biggest diplomatic win of his time in the White House.

He accomplished something that eluded his predecessor, Joe Biden: a deal to return all remaining hostages kidnapped by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, and push Israeli forces to withdraw from Gaza.

Yes, the agreement still needs to be implemented, and what Israel and Hamas agreed to is far from the “eternal peace” that Trump claimed it was. However, some of his harshest critics give him grudging praise.

John Bolton – from Trump He was removed from the position of National Security Advisor in 2019 Which in turn He criticized the president as unfit for office In his 2020 memoir – he says the White House team “certainly deserves credit” for its role in the deal.

In an interview with CBC’s Katie Simpson on Thursday, Bolton raised the possibility of Trump winning the Nobel Peace Prize — provided the deal holds.

Bolton indicated that this will not happen this year “for many reasons.” It was announced on Friday that the award would be awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.

“If this process continues, he might have a better case next year,” Bolton said.

This agreement represents redemption for Trump, who has long drawn ridicule for repeatedly insisting that he can easily end the conflict in Gaza.

Israeli attack on Qatar made Trump ‘very unhappy’

Despite Trump’s close alliance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the ceasefire announced by Biden was in effect when Trump took office in January. It collapsed after only two months. The ongoing military attack on Gaza continued, and Hamas continued to hold hostages.

For months, nothing Israel did in Gaza prompted Trump to draw a line.

That changed in early September when Israel launched an air strike on Dohathe capital of Qatar, is a major diplomatic channel for Hamas and a long-time US ally that also happens to be located there. Giving Trump a $400 million plane To serve as the new Air Force One.

The Israeli strike failed to achieve its goal of eliminating the Hamas leadership, and instead angered the Qataris It is said that the White House toowhere Trump publicly said he was “very unhappy.”

Trump quickly forced Netanyahu to apologize to the Emir of Qatar over the phone. Posted photos of the callAnd he got the Israeli Prime Minister Supporting his 20-point peace plan.

Dave Harden, managing director of the Georgetown Strategy Group, says it was the Qatar airstrike that “turned the tide” for Trump, leading him to pressure Netanyahu to accept the deal.

“Trump deserves appreciation”

“I think Donald Trump deserves credit for making this deal happen,” Harden told CBC News on Friday.

“The main difference here is that he was really able to rely on Netanyahu in a different way than previous presidents,” said Harden, who served as a senior foreign affairs adviser. Peace in the Middle East during the Obama administration.

• This Sunday, Cross Country Checkup asks: What’s at stake for you in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire? What questions do you have? Fill This model You can appear on the show or read your commentary on air.

Gershon Baskin, the former Israeli negotiator in the back-channel talks with Hamas that led to the first major hostage release, believes Trump’s influence over Netanyahu was decisive.

“What is important is that this agreement is a declaration of the end of the war – not a temporary ceasefire,” Baskin said Written on X.

“For more than a year, I believed that if President Trump decided the war had to end, Trump would force Netanyahu to agree. “That’s exactly what happened,” Baskin said.

Michael Desch, a professor of international affairs at the University of Notre Dame, says Trump has the political space domestically to follow through. His 20-point peace plan – including her promise to “A reliable path to self-determination and a Palestinian state.”

“If it continues, it will be a huge accomplishment,” Desch said in an interview with CBC News.

“Most important diplomatic achievements require sustained commitment,” Desch said. “The question is, will he have the focus to turn this into something permanent?”

Late night props to Trump

While the high praise Trump received from his Cabinet yesterday is expected, the accolades are also coming from some unexpected sources.

“We are on the verge of a monumental and historic achievement, and President Trump deserves some of the credit for that,” Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal told CNN.

until Daily show He gave a positive signal to the peace agreement.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this: I have to give some props to Donald Trump,” he said. josh johnson, While hosting Thursday’s episode From the late night show.

“This is amazing, because if this peace continues, it means the man who could not stop Fight between Gary Busey and Meat Loaf “I brokered peace in the Middle East,” Goh said.Nelson, referring to a 2011 episode of Trump’s reality show Celebrity Apprentice.

It’s hardly a Nobel Peace Prize, but when a late-night show gives Trump a thumbs-up instead of criticizing him, it’s a sign of a remarkable achievement.