Amidst the Middle East's tumultuous landscape, President Donald Trump's whirlwind 12-hour visit heralded a 'new dawn' with the initial phase of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Yet, as he returned to Washington, the weight of future challenges loomed. A pivotal aspect of long-term peace hinges on Hamas's disarmament, a demand outlined in Trump's 20-point plan, albeit not explicitly addressed in the initial agreement. ABC News White House Correspondent Karen Travers probed Trump on the disarmament timeline and guarantees, eliciting a firm stance. Trump asserted, 'They will disarm, and if they don't, we will disarm them.' He hinted at swift and potentially forceful action, emphasizing his unwavering resolve, 'They know I'm not playing games.' When pressed for a deadline, Trump hinted at 'pretty quickly' but remained vague. The president's focus shifted to Gaza's reconstruction, devastated by two years of war, with the UN estimating a staggering $70 billion price tag. However, Trump's vision for Gaza's future remained elusive, deflecting questions about Palestinian statehood and governance, deferring these thorny issues to later negotiations. The president's confidence in the international community's ability to address these challenges was evident, citing the 'power' of the global leaders assembled in Egypt. Yet, the symbolic memorandum, signed by the U.S., Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, lacked concrete details, sparking questions about its effectiveness. The absence of Israel and Hamas from the agreement underscored the delicate balance. Emotional reunions of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners with their families marked a significant diplomatic achievement for Trump. However, the fragility of the ceasefire was evident in Israel's accusation of a 'blatant violation' by Hamas, leading to a potential aid reduction by Israeli authorities. The future of the agreement remains uncertain, with Trump acknowledging the need for further verification, 'We'll find out.'
