President Trump’s adept diplomacy has led to the release of hostages and the establishment of a ceasefire. If this ceasefire holds, it would represent a significant achievement and a vital move towards peace in the region, even if it’s just a cold peace for now.
This could also pave the way for a more enduring and somewhat warmer peace. Trump certainly deserves acclaim for uniting several Arab and Muslim nations and pushing them to accept what he perceives as a compromise.
Israel’s notable military successes have caused Hamas to lose the backing of its crucial allies, particularly Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran. Support for Hamas is also dwindling among Palestinians in Gaza, largely due to the heavy toll the ongoing conflict has taken on civilians. Without Israel’s military advancements and Trump’s diplomatic efforts, hostilities would still be raging, hostages would remain trapped in Gaza’s tunnels, and both sides would be facing greater bloodshed and loss.
If Israel had heeded the poor advice from the Biden administration—echoed by opinions in outlets like the New York Times, and voices from academia and CNN—Israel wouldn’t have moved into Rafah.
They would also have neglected the Philadelphia Corridor, not targeted Iran’s nuclear sites, avoided confronting Hezbollah or any Iranian proxies, and likely settled for a ceasefire that would be unfavorable.
Even if such misguided recommendations were followed, protests against Israel and anti-Semitic demonstrations globally wouldn’t have lessened. After all, those protests weren’t really about helping Palestinians; they were aimed at undermining the Jewish nation-state. Israel has rightly chosen to disregard the hurtful and ignorant narratives it has faced since October 7th. Its adversaries in the Middle East seemed to understand only one thing: victory through force.
Israel needed to demonstrate that the blood shed on October 7th was valuable, and any future assaults against Israeli lives, whether in the Middle East or beyond, would be met with a strong retaliation. The message is clear: every Israeli life lost leads to repercussions for multiple terrorists, even if that means unintended consequences for non-combatants who endorse or condone terrorism.
This necessary and uncompromising response will not be thwarted by terrorists employing human shields. Nor should Israel feel constrained by accusations of bias and anti-Semitism. While criticisms of Israel’s actions have emerged, they often seem overshadowed by the broader condemnation of actions any democratic state would undertake.
The only language recognized by terrorists is the heavy price paid for jeopardizing lives. Hamas leaders have threatened actions reminiscent of October 7 repeatedly. In response, Israel has warned that any attempt to replicate those actions would mean revisiting the retaliatory measures that followed, including targeting their leadership wherever they may be.
For Israel, achieving peace and security hinges on deterrence through strong and sometimes overwhelming force. This approach is essential not just for Israel but also for other Arab and Islamic nations that aspire to pursue genuine peace and consider joining agreements like the Abraham Accords.
This reality—highlighting that weakness breeds aggression—has echoed through history. As a psalmist noted, “God will give strength to his people” and “God will bless his people with peace.”
This principle was once again validated when peace emerged after Israel and the U.S. demonstrated undeniable strength. The durability of this peace relies on sustaining that power and the willingness to apply it when necessary.
