On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a devastating attack on Israel, marking the deadliest assault on Jews since the Holocaust. This unprecedented act of terrorism triggered a brutal conflict that has resulted in significant casualties in Gaza and altered the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. The repercussions of this violence have also been felt in Europe and North America, where a resurgence of antisemitism has emerged.

As the second anniversary of the attack approaches, there are signs of progress in the region. Following the ousting of Bashar Assad's regime in Syria last December, approximately one million Syrian refugees have returned home, and nearly two million internally displaced individuals have also gone back to their towns. An interim government, led by former Islamist insurgents, is set to conduct elections for a provisional parliament this weekend, raising hopes for a new constitution by 2030.

In Yemen, the Houthi movement continues to pose a threat to international shipping routes. Recently, a Dutch-flagged cargo ship was struck by a Houthi missile, prompting the crew to evacuate. However, U.S. and Israeli military actions have diminished the Houthis' capabilities, and Iran's influence has waned following Israel's military operations last June, which severely impacted Iran's defense infrastructure.

The United Nations has reinstated sanctions against Iran, which had been lifted under the Obama administration's nuclear agreement. These new sanctions aim to weaken Iran's economy and restrict its ballistic missile development.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah, Iran's key ally, has suffered significant losses due to Israeli military actions. The targeted killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other senior officials has left the group vulnerable. Lebanon's new leadership, under President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, has pledged to disarm Hezbollah and other militant groups within the country. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has expressed support for this initiative, which is also backed by Israel and the United States.

For the first time, there appears to be a collective Arab commitment to disarm Israel's adversaries in the region. This shift comes amid ongoing tensions over Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's declaration that a Palestinian state will never exist. U.S. President Donald Trump has responded firmly, stating, "I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen. It’s been enough. It’s time to stop now."

In a notable diplomatic move, Trump compelled Netanyahu to apologize to Qatar's Prime Minister for Israel's actions against Hamas in Doha. Trump also issued a warning that any attack on Qatar would be viewed as a threat to U.S. security, potentially leading to military action.

These developments have paved the way for a new peace initiative, dubbed Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza. This plan represents a significant shift from Trump's earlier proposal, which suggested forcibly relocating Palestinians from Gaza. The new plan, while still reflecting Trump's influence, aligns closely with a consensus reached by France and Saudi Arabia at a recent UN gathering, which called for the disarmament of Hamas and a restructuring of the Palestinian Authority.

The New York Declaration, adopted by the UN General Assembly, outlines steps to end the Gaza conflict and advance a two-state solution. It has garnered support from the European Union, the Arab League, and several other nations. Both the French-Saudi consensus and Trump's plan emphasize the need to eliminate Hamas from Palestinian governance and propose a temporary international mission to stabilize Gaza.

Despite Hamas's initial rejection of the French-Saudi plan, the group has indicated partial acceptance of Trump's proposal. Trump has warned that if Hamas withdraws its support, the U.S. will back Israel's continued military efforts, with Netanyahu asserting that Israel will "finish the job by itself."

Public opinion in the U.S. shows a growing divide regarding support for Israel's military actions in Gaza, with a Gallup poll indicating that only one-third of Americans approve of the actions, while 60% disapprove. In Israel, a recent survey revealed that two-thirds of citizens believe it is time to end the conflict and hold Netanyahu accountable for the events of October 7.