In the eyes of Trump's fresh administration, the ceasefire is seen as a "done deal," irreversible until fully implemented. This is the essence of statements from Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Trump himself - even if their tone is less absolute.
This approach suggests Trump and his team view the deal as concluding the war, ensuring the return of all hostages, and dismantling Hamas' control over Gaza. But how exactly this will be achieved remains the hardest challenge, as Hamas, portraying the agreement as a victory, has no intention of willingly surrendering its military dominance or arsenal.
Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center and an advisor to Trump on evangelical matters, reaffirmed this perspective. In a conversation with Israel Hayom, he stated that Trump would support initiatives Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wishes to advance, just as he backed the current agreement framework initiated by Israel last summer.
However, Evans emphasized that Trump intends to be a "president of peace" and desires a foundational solution for the entire Middle East, starting with Gaza, extending through the Palestinian issue, and encompassing the broader region. "We need to see the bigger picture," Evans stated. "Israel is engaged in proxy wars against Iran: defeating Hezbollah in Lebanon, ousting Assad, and breaking Hamas' grip. But you can't fight an ideology through war. Hamas enjoys substantial support in Gaza, which cannot be eradicated militarily. Significant concessions will be necessary to secure the release of all the hostages."
While Evans has no immediate answer for how Hamas can be entirely defeated, he outlined a proposed solution involving collaboration with Egypt and Saudi Arabia. "It will require an Arab Muslim coalition to address the issue," he argued. "Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who effectively handles the Muslim Brotherhood domestically, will be a key partner in resolving the situation in Gaza and dealing with Hamas similarly. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman despises Hamas' methods and the Palestinian education system that promotes hatred. He has personally expressed his desire to reform the education system to me."
Evans also underscored the need to address Iran, referring to it as the "head of the snake" and the primary sponsor of Middle Eastern terrorism. "Qatar must stop funding Hamas," he added, explaining that Trump would make this demand clear to Qatari leadership and any other entities supporting the terrorist organization.
Evans believes resolving the broader Palestinian issue will take two to three years, depending partly on the Israeli government. Regarding Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, he stated, "Yes to sovereignty, alongside broad autonomy for the Palestinians, but only after a process - neither Israel nor the Palestinians are ready for this now." He hinted at the failure of Trump's "Deal of the Century," launched in January 2020, which never materialized.
Interestingly, Evans used the term "autonomy," contrasting with previous promises of a Palestinian state. This seems to reflect the current atmosphere surrounding Trump. Evans also tied Saudi Arabia to the Palestinian issue, quoting the Crown Prince as saying, "The foolish Palestinians wasted my money and aid funds. Instead of emulating Israel's success, they fought against it. He is highly pro-Israel, more so than some Israelis, and this sentiment is shared by the Emiratis," Evans claimed. This suggests that Palestinian leadership will need to undergo profound changes to gain support from the moderate Arab world and achieve a diplomatic solution.
What about normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia?
"Trump plans to secure this agreement within the year, tied to ending the Gaza conflict. Both sides want it, and Trump, who brokered the Abraham Accords, is the right person to make this deal happen."
Regarding Iran, Evans offered an intriguing view echoed by several new administration appointees. "Israel is the US proxy in the mission to overthrow the Iranian regime," he asserted, clarifying that "Israel will need to act independently, as Trump will not proactively deploy American troops in the Middle East - it goes against his principles as a president of peace."
"But he will provide Israel with all the political and military support it requires. Iran is advancing toward nuclear capability, with enough enriched uranium to complete its facilities," Evans warned.
How should Israel do it?
"By targeting Iran's oil facilities. This would paralyze Iran's economy, far more effective than sanctions. Most of the Iranian population despises the regime, and regime change requires collaboration with them."
Evans concluded by noting that "Israel is still recovering from trauma and needs time to heal. Trump is the best president Israel could hope for, and the future is promising, even if progress takes time."
Evans, a Jewish Christian preacher and one of Israel's most prominent supporters in the US over the past decade and a half, opposed Obama's policies toward Israel and actively supported Trump's campaigns, mobilizing Christian, particularly evangelical, communities. On Monday, during Trump's inauguration day, he hosted a grand event at the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem titled "Congratulations Donald Trump, Israel loves you."
The event drew about a thousand attendees, including ambassadors, businesspeople, dignitaries, and key figures in US-Israel relations. Trump's inauguration ceremony was broadcast live on dozens of large screens throughout the campus, where attendees cheered, clapped, and stood when Trump spoke about the hostages' return.
During the event, Evans declared, "I believe Donald Trump is the best president for Israel. The three hostages returned to their mothers' arms yesterday thanks to Trump. Hamas understands that they must comply with Trump's will, or they will face hell. There's no doubt Trump will give Israel strong backing to act against Iran, as he knows Iran is a common enemy of Israel and all Western nations, including the US. Soon, you will see Saudi Arabia drawing closer to Israel, and peace will come. The Abraham Accords will expand, and Egypt will also contribute to the change the Middle East has been awaiting."
