Danny Zaken
Israel Hayom, Jan. 22, 2025
“Israel is the US proxy in the mission to overthrow the Iranian regime,” he asserted, clarifying that “Israel will need to act independently, as Trump will not proactively deploy American troops in the Middle East – it goes against his principles as a president of peace.”
In the eyes of Trump’s fresh administration, the ceasefire is seen as a “done deal,” irreversible until fully implemented. This is the essence of statements from Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Trump himself – even if their tone is less absolute.
This approach suggests Trump and his team view the deal as concluding the war, ensuring the return of all hostages, and dismantling Hamas’ control over Gaza. But how exactly this will be achieved remains the hardest challenge, as Hamas, portraying the agreement as a victory, has no intention of willingly surrendering its military dominance or arsenal.
Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center and an advisor to Trump on evangelical matters, reaffirmed this perspective. In a conversation with Israel Hayom, he stated that Trump would support initiatives Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wishes to advance, just as he backed the current agreement framework initiated by Israel last summer.
However, Evans emphasized that Trump intends to be a “president of peace” and desires a foundational solution for the entire Middle East, starting with Gaza, extending through the Palestinian issue, and encompassing the broader region. “We need to see the bigger picture,” Evans stated. “Israel is engaged in proxy wars against Iran: defeating Hezbollah in Lebanon, ousting Assad, and breaking Hamas’ grip. But you can’t fight an ideology through war. Hamas enjoys substantial support in Gaza, which cannot be eradicated militarily. Significant concessions will be necessary to secure the release of all the hostages.”
While Evans has no immediate answer for how Hamas can be entirely defeated, he outlined a proposed solution involving collaboration with Egypt and Saudi Arabia. “It will require an Arab Muslim coalition to address the issue,” he argued. “Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who effectively handles the Muslim Brotherhood domestically, will be a key partner in resolving the situation in Gaza and dealing with Hamas similarly. ….SOURCE