Trump launches second phase for Gaza: permanent truce and hostage release goals

The Trump administration works on a long-term agreement, while aiming for normalisation of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia

Donald Trump has started work on a new phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, with the aim of transforming the temporary truce into a lasting peace and obtaining the release of the more than 60 hostages still held by Hamas. The task is daunting, as reported by Politico, with officials calling the situation ‘a complicated legacy left by the Biden administration’.

The president has entrusted this mission to his new Middle East team, led by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, joined by Steve Witkoff, special envoy for the region, Morgan Ortagus as deputy envoy, and Eric Trager, senior director for the Middle East.

A complex diplomatic challenge

According to anonymous sources, the Trump team is focused on two main objectives: consolidating a permanent ceasefire and verifying that the conditions for a stable agreement exist. Another priority is the release of the hostages still being held, something Trump intends to address in parallel with supporting Israel in its fight against Hamas.

‘Hamas must be dismantled to the point where it can no longer reconstitute its military or political power,’ said Waltz, who criticised the Biden administration for imposing restrictions on arms transfers to Israel. Waltz assured that the Trump administration would remove such limits, reiterating full military support for Tel Aviv.

Relations with Saudi Arabia

Another central piece of the strategy is the normalisation of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. According to Trump, this process could strengthen stability in the region and contribute to a long-term solution for Gaza.

The international context

Steve Witkoff, who already worked with the previous administration’s negotiators in Doha to reach the first phase of the agreement, said that the ceasefire is only a starting point. The real challenge, as Politico pointed out, will be to transform the current truce into a stable arrangement, considering that Hamas continues to maintain control over Gaza even after 15 months of conflict.

Prospects and difficulties

Despite the efforts, the complexity of the international scenario and the entrenched control of Hamas make the success of Trump’s strategy uncertain. However, the administration has reiterated its willingness to provide Israel with the support it needs to achieve its goals, while seeking to open channels of dialogue with key regional actors.

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