As Israel and Hamas begin talks in Sharm el-Sheikh on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Polish international affairs commentator Paweł Rakowski says this is all due to U.S. President Donald Trump.

“This is the result of the intense pressure Donald Trump put on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,” Rakowski said on the “Gość Wydarzeń” program on Polsat News, as cited by Do Rzezcy.

The expert made no secret of his belief that the White House meeting was difficult for the Israeli leader. “Trump has laid such heavy blows on Netanyahu that he should be glad he was sitting in the White House with his wits about him,” he stated. 

Rakowski emphasized that the current talks are historic: “This is most likely the first time in history that representatives of Hamas and Israel are sitting at the same table. Typically, these were different rooms, different hotels, even different cities,” he noted.

At the same time, the expert emphasized that the negotiations will not be easy: “Hamas is placing very difficult conditions on Israel. Trump’s plan is – as Trump would like to hear – outstanding, the most outstanding in history and in the history of humanity. However, it is very general, and the details are what matter most,” he said.

Rakowski noted that neither side wants to withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip. “Israel won the regional war, but lost the battle for the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu is not giving up and has no intention of allowing the emergence of an independent Palestine,” he added. 

According to him, Trump’s primary goal is to weaken Hamas: “Hamas knows that if the Palestinian issue is not resolved, they could return to power in a few years,” he stated.

The expert also commented on the reaction of the Israeli public: “When they see Palestinians taking to the streets in ruined Gaza, rejoicing, dancing, showing that they survived – that’s rage. It was supposed to be a show of full fury, and Hamas survived that fury. It’s a trap of sorts,” he concluded.