
By Sama Marwan,
The British newspaper The Telegraph has described the agreement to implement a ceasefire in Gaza as the first victory for the new Trump administration. It compared this moment to the presidency of Ronald Reagan in 1981, referencing the release of American hostages in Iran, and noted that the incoming U.S. president, like Reagan, begins his tenure with a significant foreign policy triumph.
The paper highlighted that Donald Trump’s presidency is starting on a strong note, resembling Reagan’s inauguration. The president-elect has overcome political challenges, the economy is in a stable condition, and his approval ratings are high, contrasting with the low popularity of outgoing President Joe Biden. Trump is now credited with achieving the ceasefire agreement even before officially assuming office.
According to The Telegraph, the announcement of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, just days before Trump’s inauguration on Monday, is not merely a stroke of luck but rather an endorsement of the “madman theory” in international relations. The article suggests that Trump’s unwavering dedication to both national and personal interests may have broken the stalemate.
While outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration is acknowledged for its months of behind-the-scenes efforts, Biden’s adherence to liberal internationalist principles and institutional groupthink limited his ability to exert sufficient pressure for a ceasefire, particularly on Israel. This shortfall highlights the intriguing role of Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy to the Middle East.
The newspaper continues, noting that Trump is undoubtedly a staunch supporter of Israel but is also primarily self-interested. He was keen to secure the ceasefire agreement before his inauguration. To achieve this, Witkoff, a businessman rather than a seasoned diplomat, exerted immense effort to persuade Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree.
In a striking detail, Netanyahu sought to delay the agreement due to the Sabbath, but Witkoff reportedly retorted that Jewish members of the American team were happy to work through the holiday, so there was no reason for Israelis not to do the same.
Officials remarked that Witkoff accomplished more in convincing Netanyahu to accept the agreement in a single meeting than Biden had managed throughout the past year.