
The Trump deal is theatre. Israel violates the Gaza ceasefire at will, killing Palestinian civilians daily, blocking the Rafah crossing and restricting aid to a fraction of what was agreed. If Palestinians are to have a future they must reclaim it for themselves.
Palestinians must reclaim their future by themselves | David Hearst | MEE Opinion
By Middle East Eye, October 18, 2025
In this op-ed, David Hearst, editor-in-chief of Middle East Eye, explains why he believes the theatrics of the Gaza ceasefire deal — led by Trump and backed by complicit Arab nations, will not lay the groundwork for genuine liberation.
Hearst argues that after Arab and Muslim countries rushed to sign Trump’s deal out of their perceived national interests, and with the Palestinian Authority’s only function being to “suppress dissent and preside over decay and retreat,” the urgent task for Palestinians now is to force the retirement of their leaders and rebuild the Palestine Liberation Organisation along with all Palestinian institutions.
As Hearst puts it: “No white knight on a charger is coming to their rescue. The only people who can shape the future of Palestine will be the Palestinians themselves.”
Support stories that matter. Join this channel to get access to perks: / @middleeasteye
Catch previous episodes of MEE LIVE, our biweekly news programme exploring the stories shaping our world through breaking coverage, expert analysis, and hard-hitting interviews.
Originally airing Tuesdays & Thursdays at 12pm ET | 5pm BST Got a story tip or question?
Reach us at MEELive@middleeasteye.org
Subscribe to our channel: http://ow.ly/AVlW30n1OWH
Subscribe to MEE Telegram channel to stay up to date: https://t.me/MiddleEastEye_TG Middle East Eye Website: https://middleeasteye.net
Follow us on TikTok: / middleeasteye
Follow us on Instagram: / middleeasteye
Like us on Facebook: / middleeasteye
Follow us on Twitter: / middleeasteye
Source: By Middle East Eye
Featured image: Middle East Eye, You Tube screenshot.
It’s no surprise that Israel violates the Gaza ceasefire so blatantly. For more see: Trump’s Gaza Blueprint is a Plan for Continued Foreign Domination