The recent cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas is a significant step, but its success largely depends on one key figure: Donald Trump. After 15 months of relentless conflict, Gaza is in ruins, with millions displaced, hungry, and desperate. Even a temporary halt in violence and the release of some hostages offers a glimmer of hope.

This deal didn’t come easy. It took months of relentless effort from mediators, including the Biden administration, Egypt, and Qatar. However, it was an 11th-hour push from Trump that tipped the scales. His influence over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proved crucial in sealing the agreement.

The plan outlines three phases, with the first focusing on the release of 33 hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, along with increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. While specifics of the later phases remain vague, the real challenge lies in keeping both sides committed. History shows that phased agreements in this region often falter, as extremists on both sides find ways to derail the process.

Neither Hamas nor Israel’s far-right government is fully onboard. Netanyahu’s camp is frustrated that Hamas remains intact, while some Israeli officials dream of expanding settlements in Gaza and the West Bank. Meanwhile, Hamas, still basking in the October 2023 attacks, aims to bolster its standing by freeing prisoners and resisting any deal that weakens its control.

Trump’s role here is critical. His pressure on Netanyahu to accept the cease-fire was decisive, and his continued involvement could be the glue holding the fragile agreement together. The question now is whether he can keep the momentum going and ensure that this cease-fire becomes more than just another temporary pause in a decades-long conflict.

As the world watches, Trump’s leadership will be tested. The stakes are high, and the path to lasting peace remains uncertain.