logo
episode-header-image
Oct 9
38m 34s

After Two Years of War in Gaza, Can Trum...

Middle East Institute
About this episode

Two years after Hamas' October 7 attack and Israel's punishing response, both sides say they accept in principle President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to halt the war and chart a path toward enduring peace. MEI Senior Fellow Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen joins hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj to unpack what's in the plan, how compatible it is with earlier Arab and European proposals, and whether its vague "credible pathway" to Palestinian statehood can withstand politics in Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Washington. They also explore the sticking points—Hamas disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, and Palestinian Authority reform—as well as what success would actually look like on the ground.

This episode was recorded on October 7, 2025. On October 9, Israel and Hamas reportedly agreed to the first phase of the peace plan. 

Up next
Nov 20
MBS's Visit and the Future of US-Saudi Relations
<div><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">In this episode of <em>Middle East Focus</em>, hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj sit down with MEI Visiting Scholar F. Gregory Gause, III, to analyze the policy implications of Saudi Arabian Crown Prince </span>Mohammed bin Sal ... Show More
37m 16s
Nov 13
From War to Reconstruction: Syria's Next Chapter
In this episode of Middle East Focus, hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by MEI Senior Fellow Charles Lister to unpack the historic November 10 meeting between US President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in the Oval Office as well as assess pos ... Show More
37m 48s
Nov 6
Erdogan Forever?
In this episode of Middle East Focus, hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by MEI Senior Fellow Gönül Tol to discuss democratic backsliding in Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The conversation explores how Erdoğan's crackdown against Turkey's opposition ... Show More
49m 7s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 3
Reading between the lines of Trump’s Gaza plan
<p>US President Donald Trump’s strategy to end the war in Gaza and prepare for the day after has divided opinion.</p> <p>After two years of failed ceasefire talks, it is the only prospect within reach now that could bring some respite to Palestinians enduring Israel’s relentless ... Show More
22m 19s
Oct 17
Trump’s Gaza Ceasefire Deal Is Already Failing Palestinians
The first phase of the U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal began to move forward this week as Israeli and Palestinian hostages have been released and aid trickles in. “The crossings were partially reopened, so some aid is coming in — food, water, and medicine — but only a small amo ... Show More
43m 52s
Oct 1
Evening Edition: President Trump Tells Hamas To Accept Ceasefire Deal, Or Else
President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a 20-point ceasefire plan offered to the terror group Hamas. Hamas must lay their weapons down, return all hostages and following the war, Gaza will be under control of a coalition of countries aimed to rebuild. Pres ... Show More
15m 12s
Oct 15
Will the War in Gaza Really End?
<p>The world has watched as a cease-fire has tentatively taken effect in Gaza. All the surviving Israeli hostages are home and many Palestinian prisoners and detainees have been released. Israeli forces have pulled back within Gaza, and much-needed humanitarian aid is rushing in. ... Show More
58m 15s
Aug 2024
Salam Fayyad on the ‘Day After’ in Gaza
The violence on Oct. 7 and the war in Gaza seem to have derailed any hope for a two-state solution. With tensions in the Middle East continuing to escalate, and a cease-fire agreement proving elusive, what does a path forward for both the Israelis and Palestinians look like? Form ... Show More
32m 1s
Oct 6
Day 731 - Could Hamas demands tank the Trump peace plan?
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. On Sunday, US President Donald Trump was ask ... Show More
19m 48s
Jul 2025
Will Trump & Netanyahu Let Gaza Starve?
<p>Donald Trump splits with Benjamin Netanyahu and acknowledges that Gaza is experiencing "real starvation"—but will he pressure Israel to end the war and allow more aid in? Lovett, Favreau, and Tommy react to the latest developments in Gaza, Trump's shifting and typically incohe ... Show More
1h 42m
Jan 2025
How long will the Israel-Hamas ceasefire hold?
After months of talks a deal has been done for a ceasefire in Gaza, with it set to start on the weekend with the first phase to include the release of some Israeli hostages.  Incoming US president Donald Trump has taken credit for it and his impending inauguration did give the ne ... Show More
14m 31s
Aug 2024
What stands in the way of a Gaza ceasefire agreement?
<p>The cycle of Gaza ceasefire talks has started to become predictable. Headlines initially spark hope with announcements of progress, only for other regional incidents to derail negotiations, leading to yet another collapse.</p> <p>Last Sunday, Lebanon’s Hezbollah launched 320 d ... Show More
17m 56s
Jan 2025
Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire in Gaza
Following intense negotiations, Israel and Hamas have arrived at a ceasefire deal to end more than 15 months of war in Gaza. All Israeli hostages being held by Hamas will be released, while Israel’s soldiers will withdraw fully from Gaza, and allow 600 aid trucks per day to enter ... Show More
27m 51s