Israel Ready to Resume Conflict, Awaits Trump's Decision

Israel has signaled it stands ready to resume military operations in Gaza and is awaiting authorization from the United States before moving forward, according to Israeli state broadcaster Kan, in a development that places the fragile January ceasefire under its gravest threat since it took effect.

The report, citing senior Israeli officials, indicates that the decision to restart hostilities rests largely with the Trump administration, underscoring the extent to which Washington has become the decisive factor in determining the conflict's next phase. Israeli leaders are said to have presented their military plans to American counterparts and are now awaiting a formal response before proceeding.

The ceasefire, brokered through intensive mediation led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, entered into force in January following more than fifteen months of devastating warfare. The first phase of the agreement included a limited exchange of hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, along with a temporary halt to hostilities that allowed urgently needed humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave for the first time in weeks.

Negotiations over the second phase, which was intended to produce a permanent end to the fighting and the release of all remaining hostages, have since stalled. Israel and Hamas have traded accusations over responsibility for the breakdown. Israeli officials insist Hamas has not met the conditions required to advance to the next stage, while Hamas has accused Israel of seeking a pretext to resume its assault and of acting in bad faith throughout the talks.

Qatar, which played a central and sustained diplomatic role in securing the original agreement and has continued to host mediation efforts in Doha, has consistently urged all parties to exercise restraint and to honor their commitments under the deal. Qatari officials have warned that any resumption of military operations would dramatically worsen the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where health authorities report more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.

The Trump administration has taken a markedly different approach to the conflict than its predecessor, applying direct pressure on both parties with a particular focus on securing the release of American hostages still held in Gaza. Analysts note that Israel's framing of any decision to resume hostilities as contingent on American approval reflects both its strategic dependence on United States military support and a calculated effort to ensure diplomatic cover before any new offensive begins.

Governments across the Gulf are monitoring the situation with deep concern. A return to full-scale fighting risks triggering fresh waves of displacement, further destabilizing the region, and collapsing the diplomatic architecture that Qatar and Egypt have spent more than a year constructing.