

Evening Edition: President Trump Tells Hamas To Accept Ceasefire Deal, Or Else
Oct 1, 2025
Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an Iran expert, discusses the tense backdrop of President Trump's 20-point ceasefire deal with Hamas. He emphasizes that history suggests Hamas will likely reject this offer, leading to dire consequences. Dubowitz highlights Iran's influence in perpetuating conflict in Gaza and its implications for regional security. He also critiques the narrative around civilian casualties, underscoring Hamas’s responsibility. The conversation delves into the broader geopolitical stakes at play.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
U.S. Backing Strengthens Israeli Military Leverage
- President Trump publicly told Israel it has backing to "do what you need to do," reinforcing U.S. support for continued military pressure on Iran-linked proxies.
- Mark Dubowitz argues Israel has severely degraded the Iran axis and merits firm diplomatic cover to finish the job.
Hamas Presented As Iran-Backed Strategist Of Violence
- Dubowitz frames Hamas as Iran-funded and intentionally designed the October 7 attack to maximize civilian casualties and political impact.
- He says Hamas bears responsibility for civilian deaths and now faces a broad international ultimatum to disarm or be dismantled.
Use International Security Forces After Clearing Gaza
- If Hamas rejects the ceasefire plan, Israel will clear areas of terrorists and hand control to an international security force rather than reoccupy Gaza.
- This approach aims to avoid long-term Israeli governance while creating secure zones managed by a coalition for aid and stability.