The Daily: "How Trump Got Israel and Hamas to a Truce"

Date: October 10, 2025
Host: Natalie Kitroeff (plus Michael Barbaro and Rachel Abrams, not present in this episode)
Guests: Mark Mazzetti (NYT Nat. Security Correspondent)
Key Voices: President Donald Trump, Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, Ron Dermer, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Overview:

This episode breaks down the historic truce brokered by President Trump between Israel and Hamas in October 2025, ending a two-year war in Gaza. It explores how the deal came together, Trump’s unique role, and the geopolitical maneuvers behind the agreement to exchange all Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, as well as consequential Israeli withdrawals from Gaza. The episode probes whether this deal marks a true turning point or another fleeting ceasefire, and analyzes the roles of Middle Eastern intermediaries.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why This Truce Feels Different

• Immediate optimism—unlike previous failed ceasefires:
  • Trump to visit Israel for the formal announcement (02:26)
  • Israeli cabinet approved the deal, Hamas signaled agreement to major points
• Core terms: Hostage-prisoner exchange and partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
  • “There seems to be broad agreement on that point. The other significant aspect…is that Israeli forces will withdraw from parts of the Gaza Strip.” – Mark Mazzetti (03:09)

2. Breakdown of the Deal

• Hostage swap: Release of remaining Israeli hostages from October 7, 2023, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners (03:09–04:11)
• Israeli withdrawal: Not total, but a significant movement nonetheless (03:46)
• Remaining “thorny issues”: Disarmament of Hamas, rebuilding and governance of Gaza still unresolved (04:39)
  • “Some of the thorniest issues are still on the table. They haven’t been worked out yet.” – Natalie Kitroeff (04:33)

3. How the Deal Came Together: Timeline of Events

• September 8–9: Key Trump envoys (Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner) meet with Netanyahu’s advisor. The next day, Israel strikes Gaza’s negotiating team’s base in Doha, Qatar—an unprecedented move (05:22–07:06)
• Backlash: Qatar, mediator in talks, is outraged. USA is angry at Israel for not giving notice and jeopardizing the process (07:30–08:24)
  • “The Qataris are furious…they demand an apology.” – Mark Mazzetti (07:30)
• Trump’s Team Seizes Opportunity: Uses Israeli overreach as leverage to press Netanyahu at a moment he’s “missed his shot” (08:50–09:44)
  • “The White House actually saw the failed strike as an opportunity…a moment that could be exploited...” – Mark Mazzetti (08:50)
• Arab States’ Self-Interest: Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt push Hamas to end the war for their own geostrategic ends—defense relations, regional stability, and prevention of more Palestinian displacement (09:44–11:17)
• UN General Assembly (late Sept.): Arab plan presented to Trump’s team; Israelis, Americans enter marathon negotiations. Netanyahu resists, tries to weaken terms (12:30–13:39)
  • “Netanyahu…tries to massage language that would reduce Israel’s commitments…” – Mark Mazzetti (12:32)
• Turning Point: Trump personally oversees Netanyahu’s phone apology to the Qatari PM (13:39)
  • “The White House put out the photo…it was very clearly intentionally made to look like Trump was putting Netanyahu in his place.” – Mark Mazzetti (13:45)
• Announcement: Trump characteristically oversells: “One of the great days ever in civilization.” (14:19–14:20)

4. Why Hamas Finally Moved

• International/inter-Arab pressure reached a critical mass (16:02–17:07)
• Destroyed leadership and territory; “living to fight another day”—little left to negotiate with (24:27–25:58)
  • “Almost all of the planners of the October 7th attacks are dead. Gaza is decimated. Hamas…destroyed.” – Mark Mazzetti (25:29)

5. Trump’s Unique Leverage and Style

• Willingness to pressure Netanyahu: Unlike Biden, Trump wasn’t bound by pro-Israel tradition (18:45–19:12)
  • “He was willing to put pressure on Netanyahu in a way that President Biden was unwilling to do.” – Mark Mazzetti (18:45)
• Transactional approach fit the region: Trump/Kushner’s business ties with regional leaders helped facilitate trust and cut deals (22:11)
  • “They all speak the same language, right? They’re very transactional…It’s a language they didn’t have with the Biden White House.” – Mark Mazzetti (22:11)
• Changed political calculus for Netanyahu: Loss of Republican support now a real threat (20:37–21:48)
  • “If the Republicans stop supporting Israel, that’s kind of it. The Democratic Party has seen support erode for Israel…” – Natalie Kitroeff (20:58)

6. Open Questions & Cautious Optimism

• History suggests “grim optimism”—no guarantee parties will stick to terms; ideological enmity persists (26:26–27:06)
  • “History suggests otherwise…Hamas and Israel have been at war with each other for decades…” – Mark Mazzetti (26:26)
• Both sides get something: Netanyahu can claim a political win (hostages, holding part of Gaza), Hamas survives to continue political struggle (23:29–24:09)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump’s Victory Lap:

  • “We ended the war in Gaza and really on a much bigger basis created peace. And I think it's going to be a lasting peace, hopefully an everlasting peace.” – Donald Trump (00:58)

• Hostage Issue as National Obsession in Israel:

  • “It is the one sort of galvanizing element of this war that brings Israelis together… Everyone agrees that first and foremost, you need to get the hostages home.” – Mark Mazzetti (04:11)

• Photo Op Power Play:

  • “The White House put out the photo…intentionally made to look like Trump was putting Netanyahu in his place. By holding the phone, the cord is stretching all the way to Netanyahu’s ear…” – Mark Mazzetti (13:45)

• Trump’s Characteristic Tone:

  • “He calls it potentially one of the great days ever in civilization.” – Mark Mazzetti (14:19)

• On Political Leverage:

  • “It’s not a given that an American president, now Republican president, is going to necessarily reflexively back Israel…So that gave Trump leverage over Netanyahu.” – Mark Mazzetti (19:28)

• Cautious Conclusion:

  • “There is a sense that the hostages could be coming back maybe as early as Sunday or early next week.” – Mark Mazzetti (17:53)

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [00:33] – Episode opens, news of the truce, Trump’s statement
• [02:26] – Why this moment feels different
• [03:09] – Actual terms of the deal explained
• [05:22] – How negotiations began, Israel strikes in Qatar
• [07:30] – Qatar’s outrage and US response
• [08:50] – White House sees leverage opportunity
• [09:52] – Role of Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar, and their interests
• [12:30] – Intense hotel negotiations in NYC, Netanyahu’s tactics
• [13:39] – Trump makes Netanyahu apologize to Qatar
• [14:19] – Announcement and Trump’s hyperbolic pitch
• [16:02] – How Hamas signals willingness to negotiate
• [17:46] – Trump’s upcoming celebratory visit to Israel
• [18:45] – What made Trump succeed where others failed
• [20:58] – Shifts in US domestic politics on Israel aid/support
• [24:27] – Why Hamas finally “gave up” its hostages
• [26:26] – Will this settlement really hold?

Tone & Speaker Style

• Conversational, probing, and nuanced with moments of frank skepticism—an interview between journalist colleagues, not shying from tough conclusions.
• Mark Mazzetti provides behind-the-scenes details, balancing cautious optimism with deep historical realism.
• Trump quotes are grandiose, self-congratulatory. Kitroeff and Mazzetti maintain their signature analytical, fact-driven NYT tone.

Summary Takeaway

This episode details the fraught but ultimately successful efforts to secure a truce in Gaza—the bold, opportunistic tactics of Trump’s team, the transactional incentives of regional players, Netanyahu’s political calculations, and Hamas’s strategic retreat. The episode makes clear that despite celebrations, the peace is fragile, and the deeper structural animosities between Israel and Hamas remain unresolved. But, for now, a door is open, hostages may return, and, as Mark Mazzetti says, it’s important to pause and acknowledge the rare moment of hope.