Gaza Peace Deal That Isn’t

As a rule of thumb, it’s wise to assume that multistage peace deals with Islamist terrorist organizations will not progress much beyond stage 1. Despite Donald Trump’s announcement this week that Hamas has finally agreed to terms for its “complete disarmament,” that rule still applies.

To hear the president tell it, the agreement he has secured will beget a durable and lasting peace. It will pave the way for the Gaza Strip to at last be “governed by a new Palestinian government that will work closely with the Board of Peace,” provide Israel with “the security it deserves,” and ensure that the Strip no longer serves “as a base for terrorist attacks.” Those are the president’s goals, at least, and they are noble objectives. But how will they be achieved?

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.

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As a rule of thumb, it’s wise to assume that multistage peace deals with Islamist terrorist organizations will not progress much beyond stage 1. Despite Donald Trump’s announcement this week that Hamas has finally agreed to terms for its “complete disarmament,” that rule still applies.

To hear the president tell it, the agreement he has secured will beget a durable and lasting peace. It will pave the way for the Gaza Strip to at last be “governed by a new Palestinian government that will work closely with the Board of Peace,” provide Israel with “the security it deserves,” and ensure that the Strip no longer serves “as a base for terrorist attacks.” Those are the president’s goals, at least, and they are noble objectives. But how will they be achieved?

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.