Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan Is a Checkmate for Hamas

If this were a game of chess, President Trump’s 20-point peace plan to end the war in Gaza would be the equivalent of a checkmate, not just for Hamas, but for all the propagandists who have falsely labelled this conflict a genocide, apartheid, or occupation. No other leader has come close to presenting such a bold, comprehensive solution. And yes, pun intended: no one has managed to trump it.

The plan outlines key steps: a measured withdrawal, the release of all remaining hostages, and the creation of an international body tasked with fully disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza. If successful, it would bring about a permanent end to the war. Every one of Israel’s military objectives would be fulfilled.

As Netanyahu outlined in his joint press conference with Trump, should Hamas reject the plan, or accept it only to sabotage it, Israel will be left with no choice but to finish the mission itself. The message is clear. This can be done the easy way or the hard way, but one way or another, it must be done.

Many of these points aren’t new. They’ve been raised in previous peace negotiations and adapted to the current environment. What’s different now is the combination of Trump’s statesmanlike leadership, Netanyahu’s clarity of purpose, and the momentum from partners in the Abraham Accords. This could very well mark a historic turning point for the Middle East. To borrow the words of Golda Meir, it seems the Arab world may finally be learning to love their children more than they hate the Jews. The Palestinians haven’t reached that point yet but with time, perhaps they will. As one of many Hebrew songs goes: Salam, Shalom, peace be upon us. Let us hear songs in Arabic calling for the same.

Trump and other leaders clear and firm stance at the UN against recognizing a Palestinian state was encouraging. Any move to establish statehood after the horrors of October 7 would not only reward terrorism but also threaten Israel’s security and legitimacy. What signal does this send to terrorists going forward? That terrorism pays.

As for the Palestinian Authority (PA), it cannot be allowed to return to Gaza without undergoing a radical and genuine transformation. This includes ending the “pay-for-slay” program, reforming the education system that indoctrinates children with hatred, stopping incitement in the media, halting legal warfare against Israel at the ICJ and ICC, recognizing Israel as the Jewish state, and dismantling the over 400 miles of terror tunnels beneath Gaza. Yet most Israelis remain skeptical. Rightfully so, a leopard doesn’t change its spots.

This plan presents a pragmatic and realistic path forward for Gaza. Not one controlled by Hamas or the PA, but by those genuinely committed to peace with Israel. It could mark a new beginning for the region, reviving and expanding the Abraham Accords to Muslim majority nations beyond the Middle East, opening doors once thought impossible. Afterall, at the end of his UN General Assembly speech, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto concluded with a multifaith and inclusive message. He invoked greetings and blessings across religious traditions. He also ended with the simple Hebrew word “Shalom,” emphasizing peace.

We will never forget the atrocities of October 7. Israel’s enemies have learned a painful truth. Those who attack Israel will pay a steep price.

Peace in the Middle East is achievable with true leadership. Unfortunately, the lip service of so-called progressive leaders like Albanese, Carney, Macron, and Starmer have accomplished nothing. In Australia, this also includes the Teals and Greens. The Teals thought they were swimming in the deep end when they co-signed a letter urging Prime Minister Albanese to reinstate funding to UNRWA even after Israel provided significant evidence implicating UNRWA employees in the October 7 massacres and in the holding of hostages.

That isn’t leadership, it’s appeasement. Worse still, it borders on complicity. When Hamas is thanking you, that should be your first red flag. This is leadership in the kiddie pool. And when constituents raise legitimate concerns about their taxpayer dollars funding UNRWA, these so-called leaders respond not with reasoned debate, but by accusing their critics of racism and xenophobia.

To the Teals who say they have no issue with Jews, only with Netanyahu, I ask you this. Can any of you even begin to measure up to the leadership he has shown? Netanyahu is more of a leader than any of you will ever be. He has navigated Israel through war, terror, and relentless international hostility while standing firm in defense of the Jewish state’s safety and sovereignty.

This is a failure of moral leadership on every single level.

Perhaps this is why Prime Minister Albanese still hasn’t had a face-to-face meeting with Trump since taking office in January. Albanese and Wong think they are swimming in the adults’ pool, yet they have proven they cannot grasp the magnitude of the Middle East where leaders respond to strength, not symbolism. Gender politics and windmills are not entertained in this region, nor is weak leadership. In the Middle East, a weak leader is fed to the sharks. If you cannot grasp this, stick to the kiddie pool.

To those calling this conflict a genocide, why aren’t you urging Hamas to accept the peace deal? Why did you never call on them to release the hostages? Your slogans and chants have come full circle. I’ve not seen any protests today. The proof is in the pudding. I’ve seen people ask online, “But have the Palestinians agreed to this?” Well, if this were truly a genocide, wouldn’t they leap at the chance to end it?

If the Palestinians want peace, they must accept the deal. If they want a state, they must accept the deal. If they don’t, it proves everything they’ve said has been false. Israel is not going anywhere. One thing is certain: the strong leaders, including Trump, Netanyahu, and the Abraham Accords partners who helped bring this plan forward, will be remembered as modern-day Churchills. The ones still playing in the kiddie pool will be forgotten.

Netanyahu has been consistent from the beginning: Hamas must surrender, and all hostages must be released.

It is time to follow the footsteps of the brave and courageous leaders, Prime Ministers Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Menachem Begin of Israel, who in 1979 signed a peace treaty and officially ended the state of war between the two countries.

On the eve of Yom Kippur, Judaism’s holiest day, when God judges each of us for the coming year, may we all be inscribed in the Book of Life. This year also marks the 52nd anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur War. May all our prayers be answered, and may the remaining hostages be returned in the coming days.

This deal is not just another proposal. It is a genuine checkmate moment.