President Donald Trump’s peace mission to the Middle East arrives as the Gaza ceasefire holds, but the most formidable questions about the territory’s future remain dangerously unanswered. The current agreement, focused on a hostage exchange, has deferred the critical issues of post-war governance and the disarmament of Hamas, leaving a volatile vacuum at the heart of the truce.
While the deal brings a halt to fighting and a surge in aid, it is unclear who will rule Gaza if and when the calm persists. The Hamas-led government has been shattered, but no alternative has been agreed upon by Israel, Palestinian factions, and regional powers. This lack of a political plan creates a significant risk of chaos or a swift return of Hamas control once Israeli forces fully withdraw.
Furthermore, the issue of disarmament is a stark dividing line. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been unequivocal: the war goal of destroying Hamas’s military capabilities remains. He views the current truce as a pause, not a conclusion. This directly contradicts the assessment of many experts, who believe Hamas will never voluntarily give up its arms, viewing them as essential for its survival and political relevance.
The international summit in Egypt, which Trump will co-host, is intended to begin tackling these complex problems. Discussions will necessarily revolve around creating a security mechanism to prevent Hamas from rearming and establishing a legitimate governing authority to oversee reconstruction and civil administration in Gaza.
As Trump champions this new deal, the international community is acutely aware that without a viable long-term plan for Gaza’s political and security future, any peace will be built on sand. The success of this diplomatic initiative will be measured not by the temporary silence of guns, but by whether it can produce a sustainable answer to the question: what comes next for Gaza?