Key Takeaways
- Former President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism regarding Hamas's willingness to release hostages under current conditions and emphasized that the group "can't stay" in Gaza, as reported by Axios.
- The Trump administration is reportedly advancing an "all or nothing" or "End Game" proposal to resolve the Gaza conflict and secure hostage release, with White House envoy Steve Witkoff meeting Qatari officials.
- Israel is preparing for a new offensive to occupy Gaza City, a plan Trump will not oppose, despite warnings about humanitarian consequences and the complexities of a comprehensive deal with Hamas.
- Skepticism persists among Israeli officials about Hamas accepting any broad "end game" agreement, citing significant gaps in the parties' positions.
Former President Donald Trump has voiced strong opinions on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, indicating he does not believe Hamas will release the remaining hostages given the current situation. Trump stressed that the militant group "can't stay" in Gaza, a sentiment conveyed in a recent Axios report. This firm stance comes as diplomatic efforts intensify to find a resolution to the protracted conflict.
The Trump administration is reportedly pushing for a comprehensive "all or nothing" deal to end the war and secure the release of all hostages. White House special envoy Steve Witkoff recently met with Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani to discuss this "End Game" proposal, according to Axios. This approach marks a potential pivot from previous attempts at incremental truces, with the aim of achieving a singular, decisive agreement.
Simultaneously, Israel is proceeding with plans for a new military operation aimed at occupying Gaza City. President Trump has indicated he will not intervene in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to move forward with this offensive, despite warnings from Israeli military leaders and international calls for a ceasefire. This military push is intended to dismantle remaining Hamas strongholds, secure hostages, and ultimately defeat the group.
However, the path to a comprehensive resolution remains fraught with challenges. Israeli officials have expressed skepticism about Hamas's willingness to accept an "end game" deal, citing the wide disparity in the positions of both sides. While the Israeli cabinet has authorized preparations for the Gaza City operation, its immediate commencement is not expected, allowing additional time for diplomatic efforts to unfold. The geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to be a significant factor for global stability and could indirectly influence energy markets and defense sector outlooks.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.