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With the conflict in Gaza now approaching its third year, U.S. President Donald Trump has achieved what no other leader has—persuading Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to sign the initial phase of a broader peace agreement, while rallying key Middle Eastern nations to pressure Hamas into compliance. The deal, signed Thursday in Egypt, is being hailed as a potential breakthrough in one of the world’s most entrenched conflicts. However, experts warn that the hurriedly negotiated pact leaves many unresolved issues that could jeopardize its implementation or hinder progress toward a lasting peace.
Analysts acknowledge Trump’s efforts in securing what may be the most promising step yet toward ending the war, but emphasize that the real challenge now lies in turning the agreement into reality—enforcing the ceasefire, overseeing the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and managing Israel’s partial troop withdrawal from Gaza.
The next phases of Trump’s 20-point peace plan are expected to face significant obstacles. These include Hamas disarmament, a formal end to hostilities, and establishing Gaza’s post-war governance—all highly contentious issues. Talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, mediated by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, failed to resolve these long-term disputes. Experts believe reaching consensus on these points could take months or longer.
“There are numerous pitfalls that will determine whether this ceasefire becomes the foundation for genuine peace or just another temporary pause in violence,” said Jonathan Panikoff, a former US intelligence official now with the Atlantic Council.
Preventing the deal from collapsing—like previous ceasefires under Trump and Biden—will require ongoing engagement from the White House. However, Trump’s foreign policy team, weakened by staff layoffs and hampered by the ongoing government shutdown, faces a tough challenge.
Nevertheless, Trump, who has publicly touted the deal as evidence of his suitability for a Nobel Peace Prize, appears committed to moving forward. If successfully implemented, the agreement could mark a significant foreign policy achievement for Trump, who has long campaigned on resolving global conflicts but has yet to deliver quick results, including in Ukraine.
Trump’s leverage strategy played a key role. Just weeks ago, hopes for peace seemed slim after Israel’s strikes on Hamas leaders in Qatar, a pivotal U.S. ally. However, Trump’s advisers reportedly used his frustration with Netanyahu as diplomatic leverage, pressuring the Israeli leader into accepting a framework for ending the conflict, which was later presented to Arab nations at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Netanyahu, who previously resisted Biden’s calls for restraint during earlier stages of the war, found it increasingly difficult to reject Trump’s pressure—especially after the U.S. president supported Israel’s airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities in June. Polls in Israel show Trump enjoying higher approval ratings than Netanyahu himself.
“Without that leverage, there would be no deal. Netanyahu can’t afford to say no to Trump,” said Dennis Ross, a veteran U.S. diplomat and Middle East negotiator.
However, Netanyahu faces domestic political risks, as far-right members of his coalition threaten to resign over what they perceive as too many concessions.