Ten Motives: Why the Trump Administration Might Preserve the Gaza Agreement
The U.S. administration under President Donald Trump is working to prevent the collapse of the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. As part of these efforts, Trump decided to send his envoys — Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — back to the Middle East about a week after the agreement was signed. They arrived in Israel on October 20, just one day before Vice President J.D. Vance’s visit to the region. The purpose of this mission is to ensure compliance with the Gaza ceasefire, implement the remaining steps of Phase One of Trump’s plan, and move toward Phase Two — the most difficult stage — which includes disarming Hamas, deploying an international peacekeeping force in Gaza, and facilitating the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the enclave.
Israeli media reported that Witkoff and Kushner informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. expects Israel to fully respect the ceasefire. Meanwhile, The New York Times, citing U.S. officials, revealed that the Trump administration is working to prevent Netanyahu from canceling the Gaza deal and resuming military operations. Trump himself confirmed on October 19 that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains in place, noting that Hamas leadership was not involved in any violations and blaming “a few rebels within the movement.”
The American objectives extend beyond ensuring the ceasefire’s implementation and the continuation of its stages — they include creating a broader cooling of conflicts and reducing regional tensions. Trump has repeatedly emphasized that his ultimate goal is to bring Iran into the peace process Washington is shaping across the Middle East.
Several motives have driven President Trump to craft and sustain his Gaza peace plan. These incentives could explain why he remains committed to maintaining and executing it. The ten main drivers are as follows:
1. Challenges Facing the U.S. Military
President Trump believes ending Israel’s war on Gaza is crucial, as it drains significant U.S. military capacity. The U.S. armed forces are already facing recruitment and mobilization challenges — statistics show a shortfall of about 41,000 troops in 2023, which worsened in 2024 as younger generations increasingly prefer civilian jobs over military service.
Moreover, America’s direct and indirect involvement in Israel’s wars has prevented the Pentagon from addressing these issues. U.S. arms and ammunition production cannot currently meet both domestic military needs and those of allies worldwide. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has therefore urged U.S. defense companies to double production, especially of missiles and 155mm shells, which have been heavily depleted by Israel’s wars in the region and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
2. Implementing the “Scope” Strategy
The U.S. aims to reshape its military presence in the Middle East. Under Trump’s directive, and with Defense Secretary Hegseth’s support, CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper is developing a new framework called the “Scope Strategy”, designed to reduce American troop levels and assets in the region.
This approach marks a sharp departure from former commander General Michael Erik Kurilla’s doctrine of rapid mobilization and large-scale carrier deployments. Cooper’s model instead emphasizes precise threat identification and proportional deterrence, relying on advanced technology and AI-driven assessments.
This new strategy reflects Trump’s broader goal of having allies take greater responsibility for their own defense, following the examples of Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and NATO allies — all under his guiding principle of “burden and risk sharing.” Trump cannot begin implementing this vision unless the Middle East stabilizes enough to transition from Kurilla’s posture to Cooper’s framework.
3. The Cost of Supporting Israel
Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has cut most international aid programs. Yet, according to multiple studies, Washington has spent between $31 and $33 billion in direct and indirect military support for Israel since October 7, 2023.
A report from Brown University’s “Costs of War Project” found that the U.S. spent about $10 billion on regional security operations and an additional $21.7 billion in direct aid to Israel over the past two years.
In addition, the U.S. has used its UN Security Council veto six times to shield Israel from condemnation — a politically costly move that isolates Washington, even from close allies like the UK and France.
4. Competition with Global Powers
By engaging deeply in Israel’s regional wars, Washington has inadvertently allowed rivals — particularly China and Russia — to expand their global influence. Many American analysts now argue that Israel’s ongoing conflicts distract the U.S. from its primary strategic competition with these powers. Prolonged warfare in Gaza, they warn, gives Beijing and Moscow opportunities to cement their presence not only in the Middle East but also in Latin America and the Caribbean.
5. Repairing the U.S. Image
The war in Gaza has severely damaged America’s reputation in the Arab, Muslim, and global public sphere. The prevailing perception is that Washington unconditionally supports Israel’s killing and starvation of civilians. Successfully ending the Gaza war would help Trump rebrand the U.S. as a leader of peace and stability, rather than a silent accomplice to destruction.
6. Promoting Trump as a “Peacemaker”
Ending the Gaza conflict allows Trump to present himself — to voters and the world — as a “peace-making president.” He often reminds audiences that during his first term (2017–2021), he was the only modern U.S. president not to start a new war, unlike George W. Bush (Afghanistan, Iraq) or Barack Obama (Libya, Syria).
By achieving and sustaining the Gaza ceasefire, Trump strengthens his image as a leader who ends wars rather than starts them. Although he failed to secure the Nobel Peace Prize this year, many international observers expect him to be a serious contender next year — especially if he consolidates peace in Gaza.
7. Reinforcing the Image of a Strong President
Trump frequently contrasts himself with former President Joe Biden, whom he labels “weak.” He portrays himself as a decisive leader respected worldwide, arguing that his bold actions — such as destroying Iran’s nuclear facilities in June — forced Tehran to pressure Hamas into accepting the ceasefire. Trump’s narrative frames his firmness as the key to Middle Eastern stability.
8. A Legacy in History
Trump’s speeches and political messaging reveal a deep fascination with history. He is intent on securing a lasting legacy in U.S. history books through actions that future generations will remember. A lasting peace in the Middle East, in his view, would become one of his defining achievements.
9. Cementing “Trumpism”
Trump’s sweeping victory — along with the Republican Party’s — in the November 2024 elections has emboldened GOP leaders to institutionalize his ideology and policies beyond his presidency. With midterm elections looming in November 2026, Trump sees the Gaza ceasefire as a unifying cause for Republicans and even for a divided America.
Remarkably, both Republicans and Democrats have supported Trump’s efforts to maintain the ceasefire, seeing it as a step toward lasting calm. Trump has also been warned that continued Israeli military operations could fracture the MAGA movement, which fueled his political comeback. Ending the Gaza war could thus reunite conservatives and attract independents, bolstering his political base.
10. The “Peace Contagion”
Finally, Trump and his Republican administration believe that a successful Gaza peace process could serve as a model for ending other conflicts, notably the Russia-Ukraine war. Indeed, preliminary plans were made for a summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest in the coming weeks, although Trump announced on October 21 that a final decision had not yet been made.
Conclusion
The motives outlined above explain why President Trump’s administration is determined to sustain and advance its Gaza peace plan, despite the mutual accusations between Israel and Hamas of violating the ceasefire. These political, military, and historical incentives converge toward one goal: securing a stable Middle East that underpins Trump’s broader vision of American strength, peace, and legacy.
