The Times of Israel Daily Briefing Day 752 - Can Hamas be forced into stage two of the Trump plan?
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Oct 27, 2025 Lazar Berman, diplomatic correspondent for The Times of Israel, delves into pressing issues surrounding the Gaza ceasefire and the search for missing hostages. He discusses the U.S.'s role in stabilizing the ceasefire while pushing for Hamas to comply with the Trump peace plan. Berman also reveals disturbing links between Iran's IRGC-Quds Force and recent attacks on Jewish sites, and analyzes the challenging implications of Ireland's new president, Catherine Connolly, whose controversial views may further strain Israel-Ireland relations.
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U.S. Pressure Keeps Ceasefire Viable
- The U.S. pressure has been crucial in keeping the ceasefire intact and limiting Israel's immediate military responses.
- This U.S.-led breathing space is intended to carry negotiations into a planned phase two focused on Gaza's future governance and disarmament.
Bodies Used As Bargaining Leverage
- Israel believes Hamas is withholding most of the deceased hostages' bodies to prolong leverage and delay phase two.
- Netanyahu's close alignment with Trump limits Israel's freedom to publicly oppose U.S. strategy or escalate militarily right now.
Build Local Forces For Post-Hamas Governance
- Israel should build and support anti-Hamas local forces as the backbone of a future alternative to Hamas rule.
- It must view them as more than local security units and invest in turning them into a broader anti-Hamas governing base.