Express aisle peace agreement

Every supermarket has their express aisle, for people who want to get in and out in a jiffy. And that’s the way it’s beginning to appear, when it comes to Trump’s aspirational dream of a Middle East peace deal. 

First, it was two to three days. Now it’s two to three weeks. By hook or by crook, U.S. President Donald J. Trump is going to have that agreement signed, even if it comes at the cost of serious arm twisting, so that he can boast the accomplishment of a lifetime, serving as his lasting legacy.

But if we judge by the unraveled Gaza deal, whose many loose ends are still dangling in the wind, we wonder if these future agreements will bring more of the same – the triumphant declaration, followed by the lingering chaos which will inevitably lead to no solution and more bloodshed?

It was back in October, 2025, when the Gaza peace plan, accompanied by a ceasefire, took effect. What’s happened since then? Hamas remains the de facto leaders of Gaza, controlling around 45% of the area, since the second phase of the agreement never materialized.

Within 90 days from signing, “they were to hand over heavy weaponry, such as missiles and rocket launchers, in addition to maps of its tunnel network. A buy-back program also offered jobs and funds to armed group members who agreed to hand over their personal weapons.”

Consequently, they still retain the responsibility of tax collection, distribution of basic goods, local policing and civil administration.

Claiming victory for brokering peace in Gaza was easy, but with phases two and three of the peace plan, never having been implemented, can this really be hailed as a win? 

In truth, the plan has been stalled over these many months due to Hamas’ unwillingness to disarm. By calling it a “disagreement of how to get to the next phase,” it almost sounds as if this is a temporary glitch that will work itself out.  

But the as the standoff continues, not only is no progress being made, but Hamas is able to regroup, strengthen and secure their place, of which they had no intention to relinquish. So, the impasse continues between the IDF, who will not withdraw their troops until Hamas disarms. The fact that it also prevents the rebuilding and restoration of Gaza, doesn’t seem to be of great concern to Hamas, who never had that priority in the first place. 

Then there’s the issue of the International Stabilization Force. Unwilling to enforce security, due to Hamas’ refusal to disarm, they have yet to step into their role.

In short, the endless game-playing goes on. Hamas accuses the IDF of ceasefire violations while they continue to fight armed terrorists who attack since they still have weapons. Does any of this sound like an effective peace agreement which has worked out well?

If anything, it’s very much the stuff of illusions – where something only gives the appearance of working while, in reality, it’s completely useless and unproductive.

But this is the ideal scenario for, at least, two of the involved parties. Hamas terrorists get to survive by playing along with a feigned peace agreement, promising to live up to its terms. That way, the American president can make his dramatic declaration of peace in our time, unaccomplished by all others.

The ones for whom it doesn’t work so well are the Gazan people, whose lives remains upended, forcing them to live in makeshift housing, impacting their ability to finally build productive and happy lives.

It also doesn’t work for Israel, whose soldiers find themselves in a quagmire, unable to leave the area for security reasons. Their country remains embroiled in an unsolvable war, as a result of the peace brokers not following through to make sure that every phase of the deal has been implemented.

So, the false illusion of peace goes on, allowing undeserved credit to be assigned to the president and his team, who were unable to finish what they started. But then does the average American really pay much attention to those little-known details? Not at all.

Trump is counting on an electorate that only remembers one thing – that he brought peace to the Middle East, resulting in lower gas prices at the pump.

While that may sound a bit heartless and jaded, there is justification for putting it that way, because the truly important things have been forgotten.  

What about the prolonged suffering of Gazans who have been used as pawns by their Hamas government officials who have systematically withheld food and goods from them when it served the purpose of effective press releases?

What happened to Trump’s pledge to help the downtrodden people of Iran, suppressed, nearly half a century, by a totalitarian regime of Islamic religious fanatics who slaughtered those who rebelled? Abandoning them is a complete betrayal!

What about Israel and their right to defend themselves when attacked – something that Trump has decided is up to him and not us?  Is it fair to exclude Israel, a democratic, allied nation from peace negotiations that directly involve them? 

And finally, is it fair to Diaspora Jews, who are paying the price for a war which could have been wrapped up, had all parties agreed that it was in the best interest of everyone to do so? Instead, it drags on endlessly, making them reviled and unfairly accused.

Yes, the declaration of a true and lasting Middle East peace is great news and would be a major coup, but not one that is brokered on the express aisle, intended to get fast results, but nothing more.

The end to this conflict will only come when savage terrorists are taken out.  When that happens, any who managed to survive will realize that there are not enough of them left to go another round. Like cockroaches, they will scurry off to hide in their crevices, realizing that if they hang around, they, too, will come to their sure end.

Alternative governing forces, whose first priority is the good of the people, must be appointed until such time as free elections can be held. Specified agreement terms must be honored, and regular monitoring is essential.

All that might take a bit longer than the express aisle, but it’s what’s demanded in order to finally declare that true peace has been accomplished in our time!