OPINION:
Outgoing President Biden may be loath to give President-elect Donald Trump any credit for the cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas (brokered by diplomats from the U.S., Qatar and Egypt), but one has to wonder how much influence Trump’s statements may have had in giving Hamas strong incentive to agree to the terms. I’m paraphrasing, but Trump essentially told Hamas and the world that there would be hell to pay if the hostages were not released by the time of the inauguration.
From Hamas’ perspective, it might suddenly have seemed prudent for it to get what it can from the “nice guy” before the “nasty guy” takes over.
But before anyone goes about taking credit for or celebrating anything, it should be noted that this cease-fire agreement is by no means a “permanent” halt to hostilities, nor is it a path to “lasting” peace. It’s only 42 days long, and Hamas still exists. What happens after 42 days? Are we counting our chickens before the eggs have hatched?
ARTHUR SAGINIAN
Santa Clarita, California
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