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US President Donald Trump is receiving unusual praise, even
from his political adversaries, after his administration successfully brokered
a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, ending two years of bloody clashes
that devastated the Gaza Strip and shook the entire Middle East.
The agreement, officially announced Monday from the White
House, establishes a permanent ceasefire, the gradual release of hostages, and
an international reconstruction plan for Gaza, backed by a coalition of
moderate Arab countries, the United States, and the European Union. Diplomatic
sources indicated that the agreement was the result of months of secret
negotiations involving mediators from Egypt and Qatar.
The news has generated positive reactions from both parties
in the US Congress. Democratic leaders who had been critical of Trump's foreign
policy hailed the agreement as "a momentous step toward regional
stability" and emphasized that the president "achieved what seemed
impossible" after years of violence and diplomatic deadlock.
The current conflict began in October 2023, when Hamas
fighters launched a surprise attack on Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip,
killing nearly 1,300 people and kidnapping more than 250 hostages, including
foreign nationals. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military
offensive that left tens of thousands dead and displaced, in addition to the
near-total destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza.
According to State Department sources, the new agreement
includes security guarantees for Israel, the gradual disarmament of Hamas
militias, and the creation of an international oversight mechanism to ensure
compliance with commitments. It also provides for the delivery of immediate
humanitarian aid and the controlled reopening of border crossings.
In a televised address, Trump stated that the agreement
"demonstrates that peace in the Middle East is not a fantasy, but a real
possibility when there is leadership and determination." The president
emphasized that the agreement "benefits both Israelis and
Palestinians" and called on the international community to "support
the reconstruction of Gaza and prevent a return to violence.
The international community has greeted the news with
cautious optimism, while analysts warn that the biggest challenge will be
implementing the commitments on the ground and rebuilding trust between the two
sides after years of hostilities and civil strife.