Arab Press Eye on Gaza Peace Deal
Arab Press Reacts with cautious hope to Gaza Peace Deal and Ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas
The historic ceasefire and peace deal between Israel and the Hamas Palestinian movement, celebrated during the international summit in Sharm El Sheikh, has generated diverse and nuanced responses from the Arab press. From optimism about regional integration and political breakthroughs, to skepticism rooted in decades of failed peace efforts, the tone varies by geography, political context, and ideological leaning.
A wide range of Arab commentators—from Gulf policy analysts to independent Palestinian thinkers—have offered complex interpretations. This analysis synthesizes these key reactions into thematic insights that reflect not only on the deal itself but also on its potential regional and global consequences.
1. A “Historic Breakthrough” or a Political Patchwork?
Source: Sam Mansi – Asharq Al-Awsat (Saudi Arabia)
Lebanese columnist Sam Mansi describes the Trump-brokered agreement as a “historic breakthrough,” though he remains cautiously analytical. He argues that while the Gaza ceasefire is significant, it cannot mask the reality of a fractured region, especially after Israel’s overwhelming military response to Hamas' October 7 attack in 2023.
Mansi outlines several key points:
Israel's military campaign succeeded tactically but failed strategically: Despite battlefield victories, Israel now faces heightened international isolation, particularly in Western public opinion and elite institutions.
Trump’s peace initiative is framed as a corrective to the failure of the "Abraham Accords" to build a broader regional consensus after 2023's turning point.
Regional integration remains possible, contingent on a coordinated Arab role in Gaza’s transitional administration and a potential shift in Israeli politics, especially with the looming 2026 elections.
However, deep-rooted regional asymmetries persist: Gulf nations are economically thriving and politically stable, while the Levant remains mired in crisis, making full regional peace elusive.
2. Popular Opinion: The Real Catalyst for Change
Source: Mamoun Fandy – Asharq Al-Awsat
Mamoun Fandy, a veteran political scientist and former Georgetown professor, frames the ceasefire as a reaction to shifting Western public opinion, not necessarily a moral or strategic awakening by U.S. or Israeli leadership.
The turning point, Fandy argues, was the dramatic erosion of public support for Israel in the U.S. and Europe, where polling indicates majority disapproval of the war and growing support for Palestinian statehood.
Donald Trump, ever the populist, acted not out of humanitarian concern but in response to domestic electoral pressures and the risk of alienating key U.S. allies.
Fandy emphasizes the power of media imagery—the constant visuals of Gaza’s destruction—as instrumental in reshaping global narratives.
European recognitions of Palestine (by Britain, France, Spain, and others) were driven not by foreign policy shifts alone, but by internal political calculations to align with public sentiment.
3. A Call for Palestinian Unity
Source: Adnan Al-Sabbagh – Elaph (Independent)
In a deeply introspective op-ed, Palestinian thinker Adnan Al-Sabbagh takes the conversation inward, shifting the focus from international diplomacy to Palestinian responsibility.
Al-Sabbagh stresses that true victory or defeat lies in Palestinian unity. Without a unified national strategy, no international support can be fully leveraged.
He sees global solidarity as unprecedented, but warns that without internal cohesion, this moment could be squandered.
He is optimistic that the fall of Hamas as a military actor could open political space for a reinvigorated Palestinian leadership committed to diplomacy and state-building.
However, the threat of self-inflicted fragmentation looms large: disunity gives other nations excuses to disengage or defer responsibility.
4. Egypt as the Steady Mediator
Source: Al-Ahram and Akhbar Al-Youm (State-owned Egyptian media)
The Egyptian press, notably Al-Ahram and Akhbar Al-Youm, highlight Cairo’s central role in orchestrating the ceasefire and shepherding the post-war transition. Their coverage focuses less on political blame or ideology, and more on Egypt’s pragmatic, multilateral diplomacy.
Key messages from both outlets:
Cairo’s "strategic patience"—through prolonged engagement with all parties—allowed the war to end without further escalation.
The Sharm El Sheikh summit is portrayed as a diplomatic milestone, reinforcing Egypt’s relevance as a regional stabilizer.
Five messages from the summit, according to Al-Ahram, include:
Egypt’s renewed regional role,
Validation of political solutions over military ones,
Multipronged negotiation strategy,
Re-centralization of the Palestinian cause globally,
Early steps toward Gaza reconstruction.
Akhbar Al-Youm emphasizes that real peace must be grounded in Palestinian self-determination and post-conflict rebuilding.
The Conclusion
The Arab press responses to the Gaza ceasefire and peace initiative reveal a spectrum of perspectives—analytical, hopeful, wary, and urgent. Despite differing tones, a common thread unites them: this moment is a rare opportunity.
If anything, Arab commentators seem to agree that this time, the path forward is narrow—but not impossible. The road to durable peace will require not only diplomacy but introspection, leadership, and collective will.