Trump's Gaza peace deal hanging by a thread as Hamas 'is already playing tricks': Netanyahu insider

Trump’s Gaza peace deal hanging by a thread as Hamas ‘is already playing tricks’: Netanyahu insider

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Trump’s Gaza peace deal hanging by a thread as Hamas ‘is already playing tricks’: Netanyahu insider

Trump’s Gaza peace deal hanging by a thread as Hamas ‘is already playing tricks’: Netanyahu insider

On a whirlwind tour of the Middle East, Donald Trump announced the end of the war in Gaza as Hamas freed 20 Israeli hostages.

The first phase of the peace deal is underway, but despite the celebratory mood, experts warned that the ceasefire hangs by a thread, with the future uncertain as Hamas must still fulfill critical demands.

Most notably, the full return of the bodies of Israeli hostages.

The 20 remaining living hostages were released on Monday morning, followed by the remains of four others.

But the bodies of 24 hostages, which Hamas promised to release as part of the peace deal, are still unaccounted for.

Lianne David–Pollack, former senior advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, says the most critical test lies ahead. Trump’s peace deal risks complete collapse if Hamas fails to return the bodies of all deceased Israeli hostages, warns David–Pollack.

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The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum, an Israeli advocacy group, said today that Hamas’ failure to release the remains of every hostage is ‘a blatant breach’ of the peace deal.

David–Pollack, who previously negotiated with Palestinians, described the current phase of the deal as dangerously unstable, with the Israel Defense Forces having partially withdrawn to what is called the ‘yellow line’ –– about a 50 percent pullback. President Trump visiting the country hours after Hamas released the remaining Israeli hostages

President Trump visiting the country hours after Hamas released the remaining Israeli hostages Photo by URMAN/SIPA/Shutterstock: Israel and Hamas agree to the first phase of Gaza ceasefire deal and people and hostages family wait for the return of the Hostage square in Tel Aviv

Photo by URMAN/SIPA/Shutterstock: Israel and Hamas agree to the first phase of Gaza ceasefire deal and people and hostages family wait for the return of the Hostage square in Tel Aviv

If Hamas violates the terms, that retreat could be reversed rapidly.

She says Hamas called the parents of these hostages and let them speak to their loved ones, because they wanted to let them know they maintain control over them.

‘I don’t expect Hamas to come out in the next few days or months waving a white flag. They will do whatever they can to survive, and they’re already playing these tricks,’ the Netanyahu insider said.

She added, ‘What they do next could blow up the whole deal.’

David–Pollack praised Trump’s strategic approach in the region, noting that he has effectively compelled regional actors such as Qatar, Turkey and Egypt to take concrete responsibility for Gaza’s future, rather than remaining passive observers.

Gaza, she argued, cannot remain solely Israel’s problem. Released Israeli hostage Avinatan Or greets well–wishers upon arriving at Beilinson Hospital in the Rabin Medical Centre in Petah Tikva in central Israel

Released Israeli hostage Avinatan Or greets well–wishers upon arriving at Beilinson Hospital in the Rabin Medical Centre in Petah Tikva in central Israel Released hostage Avinatan Or, who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas and taken to Gaza, reacts upon arrival at the site of Rabin Medical Center–Beilinson Hospital, amid a hostages–prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Petah Tikva, Israel October 13

Released hostage Avinatan Or, who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas and taken to Gaza, reacts upon arrival at the site of Rabin Medical Center–Beilinson Hospital, amid a hostages–prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Petah Tikva, Israel October 13 Israeli soldiers salute as vehicles transporting the bodies of four hostages handed over following a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza, arrive to the National Center for Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv on October 13

Israeli soldiers salute as vehicles transporting the bodies of four hostages handed over following a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza, arrive to the National Center for Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv on October 13

‘What President Trump did very smartly is put a lot of responsibility on the regional players… instead of just talking, he’s telling them, put your skin in the game,’ she said.

‘Qatar and Turkey are now heavily involved, but there are big question marks. They’ve been strong supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, and very anti–Israel,’ she explained.

In the end, she said that United States, rather than the current Israeli government, will be the one who will decide if the war has ended.

‘The US will be the judge of long term peace. I wish it were Israel, but it can’t happen with this current government that mixes ultra-right wing ideology with security considerations. It doesn’t fully represent the Israeli public or Israel’s best long-term security interests,’ she said.

‘Trump’s vision at this moment is the right one. He’s pushing Israel in a direction that may not be convenient to everyone, but it’s necessary,’ she said.