Why Hamas Freed Hostages: Trusting Trump's Peace Deal Gamble

Hamas's Gamble on Trump

• 🤝 Hamas released the last 20 surviving Israeli hostages, placing their faith in Donald Trump's commitment to a peace deal.
• ⚠️ This decision comes despite Hamas previously labeling Trump a racist with an 'absurd' vision for Gaza.

Trump's Intervention and Influence

• 📞 In an extraordinary phone call, Trump compelled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to apologize to Qatar for a strike targeting Hamas leaders.
• 🗣️ Trump's direct involvement and personal calls during indirect talks with Israel reassured Hamas negotiators.
• ✈️ An instance where Trump ordered Israeli planes to return from a raid on Iran after announcing a ceasefire further convinced Hamas of his commitment.

Hamas's Motivations and Concerns

• 🎯 Hamas believes Trump is invested in his Gaza plan and will prevent Israel from resuming hostilities.
• 📝 The group has accepted verbal assurances rather than written guarantees, highlighting the precariousness of the deal.
• 🌍 Hamas felt that holding hostages was eroding global support, and releasing them would diminish Israel's credibility if fighting resumed.

Unresolved Core Demands

• ⚖️ Core demands from both sides remain unresolved: Israel's withdrawal and steps towards a Palestinian state for Hamas, and the fate and disarmament of Hamas for Israel.
• 💥 The gamble could backfire, as seen in a previous January ceasefire that also involved Trump's team, after which fighting resumed.