Peace in Gaza?

Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in over 250 hostages, a devastating two-year war ensued in Gaza. The conflict led to tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties and a severe humanitarian crisis.

Early in his term, in February 2025, President Donald Trump controversially proposed a plan for the United States to "take over" the Gaza Strip. His vision included relocating the Palestinian population and redeveloping the war-torn territory into a "Riviera of the Middle East." This initial proposal was met with significant international criticism and concern.

However, his administration's approach evolved, culminating in a significant diplomatic effort to end the conflict. By late September 2025, Trump announced a comprehensive 20-point peace plan. After intense negotiations involving the U.S., Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, a final agreement was signed in October 2025.

Key provisions of the deal mandate an immediate ceasefire, the exchange of all remaining hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. To enforce the terms, a small contingent of U.S. troops will deploy as part of a larger international peacekeeping force tasked with securing humanitarian aid corridors and monitoring the ceasefire. The agreement also establishes a framework for Gaza’s reconstruction under a temporary, internationally supervised Palestinian authority.

The Pragmatic Patriot Team served multiple years in the Middle East (Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Bahrain). It is a volatile region that does not welcome outsiders with open arms, especially westerners, most especially Americans. We applaud President Trump’s efforts to bring peace to the region, relief to the inhabitants of Gaza, and return the few remaining Israeli hostages to their families. We are not criticizing the effort, but experience tells us this is not peace in our time.