It has been nearly a year since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire supposedly ended Israel’s bombardment and decimation of Gaza. Aid remains severely restricted, while Israel has blocked reconstruction, insisting that Hamas disarm first. He said Israel was “ruling out the 15-point document” and that there would be no withdrawal until Hamas gave up “heavy weapons, lighter weapons, all weapons”. With the Strait of Hormuz barely functioning, rising costs of American petrol and fertilizers have begun to affect the U.S. economy, leading to Mr Trump seeking a face-saving breakthrough in West Asia. For Hamas, which has few cards left, disarmament is an imperative, but must be matched by Israeli withdrawal.