Explainer | How Donald Trump pulled off his Gaza deal
Trump’s secret diplomacy led to a Gaza deal, pressuring Israel’s Netanyahu and leveraging Arab support, aiming for a Nobel Peace Prize
It was a typically theatrical moment for the man who loves to publicly boast of being the “peacemaker-in-chief”.
Donald Trump’s top diplomat interrupted a televised meeting at the White House to hand the US president a note and whisper in his ear that a Gaza deal was imminent.
Shortly afterwards, he announced the agreement on social media. “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!” he posted.
But while the climax played out in front of reporters, most of Trump’s efforts had been behind the scenes, as he sought to pressure a reluctant Benjamin Netanyahu and win Arab support.
Pressure on Netanyahu
Seeking an unlikely Nobel Peace Prize and keen to bolster his legacy, Trump’s approach has been different from the blank cheque he has previously been regarded as giving key ally Israel.