Between direct threats and hope of negotiations, Donald Trump is leaving his mark on diplomacy in the Middle East.
Trump sets ultimatum before January 20
From his residence at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, Donald Trump announced, during a press conference on January 7, that he will not tolerate any inertia in the release of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. “If the hostages are not released by the time I take office, all hell will break loose in the Middle East, and that will not be good for Hamas. It really won’t be good for anyone,” he warned.
The future president echoed the numerous requests from the families of the hostages, marked by poignant stories and tragedies, such as that of Shani Louk. He vehemently denounced the actions of Hamas, described as intolerable, and promised to take drastic measures if the situation remained unchanged.
Trump puts increased pressure on Hamas
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, expressed measured optimism by saying he hoped for significant progress before the president’s inauguration. “I really hope that by then, we will have good news to announce on behalf of the president,” he said, while recalling the complexity of the negotiations.
These declarations reinforce the pressure on Hamas and international mediators, notably Qatar, which strives to maintain discussions at a technical level. Recent attempts at mediation have yet to bear fruit, but Trump’s election appears to have injected renewed dynamism into the talks.
Qatar as a strategic mediator
Playing a key role in the negotiations, Qatar said discussions continue between Israel and Hamas, although no high-level officials are currently participating. Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, spoke of ongoing technical meetings to reach an agreement.
For more than a year, Qatar has been working with the United States and Egypt to obtain a truce and the release of the hostages. These efforts were suspended last November but resumed in December, spurred by Trump’s rise to power. “New momentum” has been seen in the negotiations, although challenges remain considerable.
Diplomacy under tension
Trump’s strategy, oscillating between threat and muscular diplomacy, seems intended to move the lines in a region marked by decades of conflict. The ultimatum set by the elected president imposes a strict time frame, placing regional and international actors facing an imminent deadline.
It remains to be seen whether this pressure will accelerate the release of the hostages or whether it will exacerbate tensions. A few days before January 20, the outcome of the discussions remains uncertain, but Donald Trump’s offensive approach leaves no doubt about his intention to redefine the balance in the Middle East.
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