Not two weeks after the supposed “historic” signing of U.S. president Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, the initial stages of the agreement appear to be collapsing. While the effort freed detainees and hostages on both sides of the two-year Israel-Hamas conflict, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is working overtime to sabotage the agreement—just as he did with previous Gaza ceasefires. Just as in the past, that effort aims to perpetuate fighting in the Strip, with the goal of indefinitely extending Israeli control of Palestinian territory and Netanyahu’s own government.
To be clear, any ceasefire or broader peace agreement to a conflict of such magnitude and length as the Israel-Palestine one would necessarily experience numerous setbacks. Both Hamas and the Israeli government have interests that are informed by and inform their rivalry. Both advance those interests to strengthen their relative power and influence in the conflict. For example, just as Hamas is openly working to regain control over parts of Gaza that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) withdrew from upon the signing of the 20-point plan, Israel continues to target supposed Hamas positions.
All violations of the ceasefire can and should be readily condemned. Guarantors of the deal are obligated to hold the parties accountable and are reportedly attempting to do so, at least to a degree. The question, however, remains the same as it has for decades—how will Washington handle Jerusalem’s brinkmanship? Thus far, Trump’s team is failing.
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