This week on The Forum, we turn to the Middle East at a critical moment — one marked by both hope and uncertainty. The conversation was recorded just two days after President Trump’s announcement of an agreement to free the remaining Israeli hostages, both living and deceased, in exchange for the release of approximately 250 Palestinians. This development represents the first phase of a 20-point plan aimed at ending the two-year war between Israel and Palestine. Our guests are distinguished experts with deep experience in the region — individuals who have spent their careers negotiating, analyzing, and striving to understand this enduring conflict.
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Our guests were somewhat at a disadvantage, as this episode of The Forum was recorded on Friday, October 10 — more than 72 hours before its broadcast on KSFR. Just three days earlier, President Trump announced Phase One of a 20-point plan intended to end the two-year conflict between Israel and Palestine and provide a roadmap to stabilize and rebuild Gaza.
At the time of our recording, Israel and Hamas had agreed to exchange hostages and prisoners within 72 hours — by Monday, October 13. Our experts share their perspectives on what changed to make an agreement possible after so many failed attempts.
They point to several factors: President Trump’s anger and frustration with Israel following its botched attempt to kill Hamas leaders in Doha; the growing number of countries recognizing the State of Palestine; and the reshaping of the regional order after the brief war between Israel and Iran.
Mr. Etzion, a close observer of Israeli politics, discusses whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, may face early elections. Ambassador Jones and Paul Salem, while expressing hope that the plan will succeed, reflect on the obstacles that could undermine it, including the difficulty of forming a transitional government and ensuring Hamas’s disarmament.
Host: Jim Falk Guests: Eran Etzion, Associate Fellow, Middle East Institute Deborah Jones, U.S. Ambassador (ret.) Paul Salem, Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute
