President Donald Trump is making the ultimate political gamble, staking his entire foreign policy legacy on a high-risk, high-reward 20-point plan to definitively end the Gaza war. With a tight 3-4 day deadline for Hamas to accept, the president is positioning himself as the singular figure capable of solving a conflict he claims has festered for “3000 years.”
This initiative is a classic Trump maneuver, sidestepping traditional diplomatic channels in favor of a bold ultimatum backed by a powerful, personally-forged coalition. By securing the public support of Israel, all major Arab states, and even powers like Russia, Trump has crafted a scenario where he can claim a historic victory if Hamas capitulates, or preside over the group’s final destruction if they refuse.
The plan itself demands the complete surrender of Hamas, requiring the group to disarm in exchange for an end to the conflict that has killed over 66,000 Palestinians. The incentives are massive: an Israeli withdrawal, the release of all hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and a colossal international aid package to rebuild Gaza and avert a full-blown famine.
However, the risk is immense. Should Hamas defy the ultimatum, the resulting escalation could plunge the region into its deadliest conflict yet, tarnishing the very legacy Trump seeks to build. His ominous warning of a “very sad end” for the group would be put to the test, with global stability hanging in the balance.
For now, the world watches as Trump’s audacious play unfolds. The outcome will either cement his status as a legendary dealmaker who brought peace to the Middle East or serve as a cautionary tale of a gamble that went tragically wrong.