During a recent meeting at the White House in early April, President Trump was reminded of his 2024 campaign promise to end the war in Gaza, which remains unfulfilled. At that time, Israel had resumed its bombardment of Gaza after breaking a cease-fire with Hamas. Despite the ongoing conflict, Mr. Trump expressed optimism, stating, “I’d like to see the war stop” and suggesting that it could end in the near future.
However, one month later, the situation has worsened, with Prime Minister Netanyahu announcing an “intensive” escalation in Israel's military operations in Gaza. His security cabinet approved the mobilization of tens of thousands of reservists for a renewed assault, as Israeli hawks argue that only military force can compel Hamas to release over 20 hostages it holds captive.
While some analysts warn that a significant escalation could eliminate any remaining hopes for peace, attention has turned to Mr. Trump's potential response. Analysts note that after initial diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation, Mr. Trump and his officials appear to have shifted their focus away from the conflict, giving Netanyahu latitude in military actions.
Ilan Goldenberg, a Middle East specialist, remarked that Mr. Trump initially showed commitment to Gaza but later seemed to lose interest, allowing Israel a free hand. Mr. Trump is set to travel to the Middle East next week, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
A violent escalation could serve as a reminder of Mr. Trump's unfulfilled peace promises. There is speculation that he may support Israel's plans for a decisive strike against Hamas, with Netanyahu claiming military officials indicated these would be “the concluding moves” of the war. Mr. Trump has previously warned Hamas that “all hell” would break loose if they did not release the hostages.
Michael Makovsky, president of a pro-Israel security group, noted that Mr. Trump appears less engaged in the Gaza issue compared to the Biden administration, which actively sought to manage Israel's military campaign to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza.
While Mr. Trump has expressed some concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, his attention has been sporadic, contrasting sharply with the Biden administration's more hands-on approach, according to Makovsky.
Reports indicate that Israel may initiate a new ground operation in Gaza if a deal with Hamas is not reached before Mr. Trump returns from his trip. Makovsky noted that Mr. Trump seems more focused on diplomatic efforts related to Iran's nuclear ambitions than on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes stated that Mr. Trump remains dedicated to securing the release of hostages and ending Hamas rule, placing the blame for the conflict squarely on Hamas.
Additionally, the role of Mr. Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has evolved from focusing on Israel-Hamas diplomacy to addressing multiple issues, including Iran and Ukraine. There is little evidence that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has engaged with Israel, despite his recent appointment as national security adviser.