The Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire-for-hostages deal in Gaza, for which he deserves full credit, could be the first step toward a radical shift in the region. But for now, it is only a bare beginning. It won’t by itself “end the war in Gaza,” nor will it create “peace, hopefully everlasting peace,” as the president promised. It is only Phase One of Trump’s 20-point peace plan.

It is Phase Two — which calls for rebuilding Gaza and offering Palestinians a political future — that will determine whether the ceasefire-hostage deal marks more than a brief respite before the next wave of bloodshed.

Having spent decades covering unsuccessful Mideast peace efforts, I am trying to tamp down my cynicism. But here are a few points from history which, if ignored, will likely add Trump’s current triu

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