With the Iranian threat against Israel neutralized, at least for the time being, President Donald Trump is reportedly turning his attention back to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Over the weekend President Trump urged progress in the ceasefire talks after saying Friday that an agreement could be struck within the next week as negotiations continue.
Meanwhile, various news outlets are running stories of a renewed push for a two-state solution, one that would involve a so-called Palestinian state in addition to the nation of Israel.
Talking about this on Washington Watch, former Representative Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota) urged Trump to reject these efforts.
"That's a division of the land of Israel," Bachmann said on Washington Watch Monday. "It's a proposal that somehow there will be peace from Arabs, that they will not make war against the Jews if the Jews give up their land."
Hamas sources cited in Arab media last week said efforts to resume negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza are progressing “more effectively” than during the 12-day Israel–Iran war.
However, the sources, who spoke with Asharq al-Awsat, said “there is no real breakthrough to speak of at the present time,” while stressing that Hamas continues to insist on a full withdrawal and permanent ceasefire, as well as reject disarmament.
The sources also said Hamas is willing to show “flexibility.”
Major obstacles remain – Israeli far-right opposition, the likely humanitarian toll and distrust – but there’s growing diplomatic buzz for re-launching a two-state push.
Most plans would have Israel give up much of the “West Bank” – also known as Judea and Samaria -- which could include certain sites central to Jesus’ earthly ministry such as Bethlehem, Jericho and Bethany.
Bachmann says such division of land won’t work.
"For over 30 years, this has been enshrined in what's known as the Oslo Accords, and it's never worked," said Bachmann. "It's been a complete failure, and so now once again it seems like it's being resurrected but it's a terrible idea. It only leads to hostility; it's the antithesis of peace."
