Staff Reports
Hamas’s decision to send a formal letter to Donald Trump marks a stunning twist in the Middle East conflict, one that underscores how much global actors still view Trump as a figure of influence. Two years after Hamas’s barbaric terrorist attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis and left 48 hostages in captivity, the terror group is now asking the former president to intervene. Their proposal of a 60‑day pause in fighting in exchange for releasing half of the hostages shows both their desperation and their recognition of Trump’s hard-earned reputation as a master negotiator.
This request is nothing short of an admission that Trump’s prior diplomacy in the region, such as the Abraham Accords, was not only groundbreaking but lasting. Unlike President Biden, who has fumbled negotiations and appeased America’s enemies, Trump demonstrated strength and command that even adversaries respected. Hamas turning to him, of all people, says volumes about who they believe can deliver results. It is also striking that ordinary Israelis holding protests in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are calling for Trump by name, signaling that they trust him more than their own leadership to secure peace and bring home those still suffering in captivity.
Of course, Hamas’s sudden appeal should be met with cold realism. Terrorist groups are notorious for leveraging pauses not to achieve peace, but to regroup and rearm. The chance that Hamas is using Trump’s reputation as cover to buy time is high, and Israel cannot afford to let its guard down. Nonetheless, there is an opportunity on the horizon: even the suggestion of Trump’s involvement could apply pressure in ways that Biden’s weak diplomacy cannot, creating openings for both hostage release and broader regional stability.
For those keeping score politically, this development highlights exactly what voters saw during Trump’s presidency—an America that stood tall, made deals from a position of strength, and kept adversaries in check. Under Biden, chaos has erupted across the globe, from Russia’s war on Ukraine to Iran’s growing aggression in the Middle East. Contrast that with Trump, who dismantled ISIS’s caliphate, kept Iran boxed in, and achieved historic peace agreements. Hamas’s letter isn’t just a plea—it is evidence of the respect Trump still commands internationally.
The coming weeks will reveal whether this is the beginning of meaningful progress or yet another Hamas ploy. But one thing is clear: the world still turns to Trump when it needs a dealmaker who gets results. Even in opposition, he remains a powerful presence on the world stage, and for Israelis desperate to see their loved ones return home, Trump represents not just hope—but the only leader they believe can actually deliver.
