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THE PUB: ‘Warm’ beer in hillsides after farewell to Mzee

It was a sad weekend for us. That is, the week that ended on September 28, when a mzee of ours departed to join his Maker in the afterworld.

Mzee Josiah was a master storyteller who cleverly fused fact and fiction to enthral us whenever we shared his company, either formally or informally. Even as he went through his last week on earth at a Dar hospital, he never tired of regaling his visitors with his incredible stories.

It was on October 3 when we laid to rest our jovial old man at the church cemetery in an emotional ceremony attended by family and friends from various parts of Bongo and beyond. After we’re done with the various sombre activities and bidding kwa heri to those who have to travel immediately to their different destinations, it’s time to relax and explore.

Yeah, time to head to our side of Mount Kamwala’s shopping centre to see what’s on offer at Kwa Dada Anna, Kwa Temu and Kwa Sammy drinking joints. A younger bro, Dullah, had stayed close to me most of the day, impressing me with what has been going on within the Muyanza family and the village in general.

Who has married whom, and who has divorced whom? You note with interest that the incidence of divorce in the villages is much less than what we’re witnessing in the urban areas, where some marriages break up within a couple of months, if not weeks. And nobody raises eyebrows! Dullah leads you to Kwa Sammy, where we find the place full to the brim.

Some drinkers are having their booze while standing. There are two vacant tables without chairs, but your kid bro says no to the suggestion that we take our beer standing as a handyman goes out to look for chairs.

“We’ll just remain standing idly as we wait for chairs; my bro is an important man from Dar (ha!), and won’t have his beer standing up like a villager!” asserts Dullah. It only takes a few minutes before chairs arrive and we settle down for our beer.

Dullah is a young and strong man, which explains why he orders a Safari. I ask for my usual, a warm Castro Laiti, which Dullah dismisses as maji matupu, sheer plain water! I’m literally dying of thirst, because it’s been more than 24 hours since I took my last sip of beer.

I get hold of a bottle, ready to lead it to my waiting mouth, but I return it to the table and shout, “Hey, mhudumu, I had ordered a warm beerthis one is chilling cold!” “But that’s warm beer, mzee,” responds the mhudumu. “actually, we don’t even have a fridge here nobody owns a fridge in Usangi!” I dislike cold beer, but there’s nothing I can do other than take the beer the way it is.

Climate change has done us in because, in the not-so-distant past, having wintry weather beyond August was something unheard of. Rest in peace, dear Mzee Josiah Gerson Marisa WM.

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Court approves new affidavit in Polepole ‘abduction’ petition

Dar es Salaam. The High Court, Small Claims Division in Dar es Salaam yesterday approved a request by lawyers representing former Tanzanian ambassador to Cuba Humphrey Polepole to submit an additional affidavit in a case concerning claims of his alleged abduction.

The petition, case number 24514/2025, filed under an urgent Habeas Corpus motion, seeks a court order to produce Mr Polepole before the court. It was filed on Tuesday against the Inspector General of Police and other respondents, including the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Attorney General (AG), the Special Zone Commander in Dar es Salaam (ZCO), and the Dar es Salaam Police Commander (ZPC).

Judge Salma Maghimbi, who is presiding over the case, granted the application to submit an additional affidavit, following a request from Mr Polepole’s legal team led by Mr Peter Kibatala. The court also set deadlines for submission and scheduled the full hearing for all parties on October 15 at 9.

30 am. Mr Polepole’s lawyers argued that new information had emerged since the first witness testimony, making it necessary to submit further evidence.

They requested that the matter continue ex parte, allowing proceedings without respondents who failed to appear despite receiving court summons. The court ordered Mr Polepole’s legal team to submit his additional affidavit by today, while the second respondent must file a counter affidavit by Tuesday, October 14. Respondents who fail to appear will need court permission to submit any further affidavits.

Advocate Kibatala told the court that Mr Polepole, a Tanzanian citizen who has served in various government positions, including District Commissioner for Ubungo and ambassador to Malawi, Cuba, and other Latin American countries, voluntarily resigned from his diplomatic post earlier this year. His resignation letter, dated July 13, 2025, was addressed to the President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

He alleged that in the early hours of October 6 unidentified individuals forcibly entered Mr Polepole’s Ununio residence in Dar es Salaam and took him to an unknown location. The claim has been corroborated by Polepole’s brothers, Godfrey and Agustino Polepole, and was widely reported in local media.

Mr Kibatala emphasised that as of the filing of the affidavit, Mr Polepole’s whereabouts remain unknown. None of the respondents has provided information on his welfare or legal status, raising concerns over his safety and constitutional rights.

The petition seeks to have Mr Polepole produced before the court pending the hearing of the full case. If successful, it could compel authorities to provide clarity on his detention or release him, while ensuring that due legal processes are respected.

The court’s approval of the additional affidavit is seen as a critical step in expediting the matter, especially given the urgency surrounding allegations of unlawful detention. Lawyers representing Mr Polepole argued that immediate court intervention is necessary to safeguard his fundamental rights.

“This case highlights the importance of legal safeguards for all citizens,” Mr Kibatala said. “We are acting swiftly to ensure that Polepole’s constitutional rights are respected, and that the matter is addressed transparently and urgently.

” Mr Polepole’s legal team also includes Faraji Mangula, Alphonce Nachipiangu, Deogratius Mahinyila, and Grolia Ulomi, who are coordinating efforts to ensure the petition proceeds without delay. .

30-year legal battle over Marcopper mine disaster impact ends

The Court of Appeals (CA) has approved the $100-million (P5.8-billion) settlement agreement between the provincial government of Marinduque and Barrick Gold Corp., ending nearly three decades of legal battle over the environmental damage caused by the Marcopper mining disaster in the early 1990s.

In a 32-page decision promulgated on Oct. 3, the CA’s former 10th Division dismissed with prejudice the writ of kalikasan filed in 2011, approving the deal and declaring the case closed and terminated. The writ of kalikasan is a legal remedy that protects the constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology.

In its decision, the appeals court noted that it had been almost 30 years since the Marcopper mining disaster and that the petition had been pending before it for nearly 15 years.

This incident was known as one of the worst mining disasters in the Philippines. At least 36 people died from heavy metal contamination caused by the mine waste. The spill, which also left the Boac River virtually dead, is also considered the country’s worst industrial pollution disaster.

Marcopper Mining Corp., which started its operations in the 1970s, was shut down in 1996.

‘It is only but prudent for this Court to write finis to this case and grant the Parties’ Urgent Joint Omnibus Motion not only to seal a final settlement of the case but, more importantly, for the people of Marinduque, long burdened by the tragedy, to finally partake of its benefits,’ the CA said in the ruling penned by Associate Justice Jaime Fortunato Caringal.

Barrick will pay the $100-million settlement amount over three years, with the funds to be remitted to the provincial government’s treasury account. All funds are to be used by the provincial government ‘for lawful purposes and for the benefit’ of the province.

The first payment, amounting to $50 million (P2.9 million) and currently held in escrow, will be released within five business days after Barrick receives a copy of the CA ruling and a letter from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) confirming that the company has no further liabilities under existing remediation orders.

Barrick and the provincial government will then issue a joint instruction to the escrow agent to release the $50 million.

The remaining $50 million will be paid in three annual installments: $17 million on the first and second anniversaries of the initial payment date, and the final $16 million on the third anniversary.

The deal further provides that Marinduque officials ‘shall not use the money, directly or indirectly, for any act that constitutes graft or corruption.’

2011 petition

The case stemmed from a 2011 petition filed by Eliza Hernandez and Mamerto Lanete, later joined by the Marinduque provincial government as petitioner-intervenor.

Named respondents were Barrick Gold Corp., which acquired Marcopper Mining Corp.’s former shareholder, Placer Dome, and Placer Dome itself.

Hernandez and Lanete sought a writ of kalikasan with a temporary environmental protection order to compel the rehabilitation of Calancan Bay, Boac River, Mogpog River, and nearby areas damaged by the respondents’ operations.

The Supreme Court issued the writ on March 8, 2011, and referred the case to the CA for hearing and reception of evidence.

While several issues remained pending, the CA later suspended proceedings as the parties pursued an amicable settlement.

It was only on April 4 this year that Barrick and the Marinduque government entered into the agreement, which indicated that Marcopper Mining is, and has always been, the owner and operator of the Marcopper mine, independent of its shareholders and affiliates, including Placer Dome.

The parties also agreed that neither Placer Dome nor Barrick would bear any liability or responsibility for existing litigation or regulatory matters involving the Marcopper mine.

Specifically, the deal states that ‘neither Placer Dome, Barrick, nor any of their releasees has had, now has, or may in the future have any responsibility or liability for the disposal of mine tailings into Calancan Bay from 1976 to 1991.’

The respondents were likewise absolved of liability for the 1993 Maguila-guila Dam breach, the March 24, 1996 tailings spill; any incidents occurring after Placer Dome’s divestment in 1997, and any loss or damage, whether environmental, health-related, or property-related, arising from these events or the mine’s current or future conditions.

In order

After reviewing the documents, the CA found the settlement deal ‘in order and not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order, and public policy.’

‘For several years, this Court notes that the Petitioners, the Petitioner-in-Intervention, and the Respondents have been negotiating in good faith to bring the controversy to a just and fair conclusion,’ the CA said.

It added that the settlement documents serve as the ‘complete and final adjudication of this Court on the merits of the instant case.’

Why Andabwile missed Stars’ W. Cup clash against Zambia

Dar es Salaam. Young Africans (Yanga) defensive midfielder Aziz Andabwile was absent from the national football team, Taifa Stars, during their crucial World Cup qualifier match against Zambia due to citizenship clarification issues.

The decision came as a surprise to many fans who had anticipated seeing the talented midfielder feature in the game. Andabwile joined the national team camp when it opened at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Ground before the squad relocated to Zanzibar in preparation for the match.

Despite his presence in camp, his name was notably absent from the matchday lineup, raising questions among supporters and media alike. Prior to the game, there had been no official indication that Andabwile was unavailable due to injury, unlike central defender Dickson Job, who was sidelined because of a fitness issue.

This fueled speculation and curiosity among fans eager to see the midfielder in action. In response to inquiries, Taifa Stars head coach Hemed “Morocco” Suleiman explained that Andabwile’s omission was linked to a complex citizenship matter.

Suleiman stated that the coaching team had received information that Andabwile, despite being Tanzanian, had represented Malawi’s U-20 national team during the 2019 COSAFA tournament in Zambia. “After receiving this information, and to protect the integrity of the team, we were advised to remove him from the matchday squad while awaiting formal clarification from the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) regarding his eligibility,” said Suleiman.

Suleiman further explained that TFF had officially written to FIFA seeking guidance on whether Andabwile could legally play for Tanzania at the senior level. Unfortunately, a response had not been received by match time, compelling the coaching staff to err on the side of caution and leave him out of the line-up.

Clifford Ndimbo, TFF’s Media and Communications Officer, confirmed the matter, stating that the federation is awaiting a response from FIFA. “As far as I know, the matter is currently with FIFA following our letter,” Ndimbo said.

Andabwile himself addressed the situation, stressing that he is a Tanzanian citizen with a valid passport and other official documents. He explained that his previous stint with Malawi’s U-20 team did not affect his eligibility.

“I am Tanzanian, and there is no issue with my citizenship. I went to Malawi to play club football and was registered with Big Bullets FC after leaving Mbeya City.

The clarification has already been provided by the CEO of Yanga,” he said in a phone interview. .

Tanzania unleashes global graphite ambition with Mahenge project

Mahenge. Tanzania is set to reap significant economic and social gains from the newly launched $300 million graphite mining project, which is expected to boost the country’s position as a major global supplier of critical minerals.

The project, led by Faru Graphite Corporation in partnership with Australia’s Black Rock Mining, will operate for more than 26 years. It is expected to create around 900 direct jobs and 4,000 indirect jobs, while also stimulating infrastructure development in the host communities.

Speaking during the official launch here on Thursday, October 9, 2025, Minister for Minerals Antony Mavunde said the Mahenge project is a joint venture between the Tanzanian government, which holds a 16 percent non-dilutable stake, and private investors, who hold the remaining 84 percent. “This structure protects national interests while benefiting from private sector expertise,” he said.

Until recently, Tanzania contributed just 0.6 percent of the global graphite supply, lagging behind regional producers such as Madagascar and Mozambique.

“The Mahenge project is set to change that dynamic. With large-scale mining licences granted in 2022, full-scale operations have begun, positioning Tanzania as a rising graphite producer,” he added.

Graphite is crucial for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage. The high quality of Mahenge’s graphite, combined with Tanzania’s access to hydropower and deep-water ports, makes the project especially valuable globally.

The government has ensured that residents displaced by mining operations have received new homes, part of Faru Graphite’s social responsibility programme. Chief Finance Officer Paul Sims said the mine will generate over 900 full-time jobs across four development phases, with 400 positions already filled in Phase 1.

The project also stimulates the local economy through procurement from Tanzanian suppliers, supporting SMEs in accommodation, catering, logistics, and retail. Infrastructure development is a key component.

Faru is funding a 70-kilometre electricity transmission line from Ifakara to Mahenge to power the mine and surrounding communities. Roads and bridges, including the Farujon Access Road, will also be improved in partnership with Tanroads, enhancing transport safety and local economic opportunities.

The $300 million project is financed through a blended model, with $150 million in debt provided by CRDB Bank, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, and South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation. The remainder is being raised through equity markets in Australia.

Faru CEO John de Vries said construction has already started, with Phase 1 expected to produce 90,000 tonnes of graphite per year. Treasurer Nehemiah Mchechu noted that revenue from taxes, royalties and social contributions will support education, healthcare and infrastructure nationwide.

The Ambassador of South Korea, Eun Ju, praised the project as a strategic collaboration that reflects shared goals under Tanzania’s development aspirations as outlined in the Dira 2050, aimed at using mining to drive GDP growth and industrial transformation. .

Quake damage to Cebu schools estimated at over P1B – DepEd

The damage to schools caused by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit Cebu last month is estimated to reach more than a billion pesos and affect thousands of students, teachers, and nonteaching staff in the province.’The total damage to schools across the province is projected to exceed P1 billion, with more than 50,000 learners and over 1,400 teaching and nonteaching personnel affected, including nearly 900 in Bogo City,’ Salustiano Jimenez, the Department of Education (DepEd) regional director for Central Visayas, said on Thursday.

In an earlier statement, the DepEd said the strong quake destroyed 1,187 classrooms, caused major damage to 803 more, and minor damage to 5,587 others. It added that this will lead to the displacement of students and the disruption of classes in the province, with the situation expected to return to normal in at least 30 days.

The DepEd said it has already reinforced its disaster preparedness and response systems through the deployment of rapid assessment teams and the launch of new tools and facilities aimed at strengthening education resilience.

This includes major initiatives like the ‘PlanSmart for Safe Schools,’ a web-based contingency planning application developed to enable schools to create evidence-based contingency plans.

The DepEd will begin next month a series of training sessions for 3,012 schools in the Greater Metro Manila area before the nationwide rollout.

‘Learning continues’

In addition, it will pilot the ‘M7X School Ready Program,’ which aims to strengthen earthquake preparedness in public schools and DepEd offices.

The test run will prioritize schools in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon, particularly those situated along or near the West Valley Fault.

The DepEd also unveiled its ‘Pillar 1: Safer Learning Facilities Guidebook,’ a reference manual that aims to empower schools to adopt inclusive, climate-resilient, and child-safe construction standards.

It likewise rolled out the upgraded temporary learning spaces (TLS) or modular classrooms, designed to ensure that classes continue while permanent school structures undergo repair or reconstruction. /cb

How Africa can build the digital backbone to power AI for climate action

Dar es Salaam. African governments have been urged to invest in digital infrastructure and policy frameworks that will allow artificial intelligence (AI) to meaningfully drive climate action across the continent.

The call was made yesterday during a panel discussion on “Powering AI for Climate Action: The Infrastructure Imperative” at the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee’s AI for Climate Action Forum 2025, taking place in Dar es Salaam. The experts said the continent’s AI potential would remain underutilized without coordinated data systems, inclusive funding mechanisms, and deliberate efforts to localize technology.

World Bank senior digital development specialist Sara Ballan said many African governments are sitting on valuable climate and agricultural data that could spark local innovation if made accessible. “Across ministries, the data sits in silos,” she said.

“In Kenya, it took a year and a half just to curate and organize it in a way innovators could use.” She said the World Bank has supported such initiatives by helping governments build shared digital infrastructure and cross-sector data systems that allow collaboration between ministries, researchers, and startups.

“The digital transformation has become a foundation for development planning. Governments are now realizing that investing in data centers, connectivity, and interoperability is not optional–it’s essential,” she said.

From Malawi, Mechro’ chief executive Mr Alinafe Kaliwo said enabling policies and access to capital remain major hurdles for AI-driven climate solutions in Africa. “Governments must create policies that are enabling enough for innovators to innovate, but also inject opportunities for funding,” he said.

He added that while donor funding remains limited, resources should be directed to areas with direct community impact. “The starting point should be the innovators themselves.

We must look at the challenges our communities face and turn them into opportunities,” he said. Enterprise Neurosystem Chairman Mr Bill Wright said the next frontier for Africa lies in developing its own digital backbone — from cloud systems to sensor networks.

“When we went to Uganda, they made it clear they didn’t want to use Western cloud providers,” he said.He added, “They wanted to build their own infrastructure, and we partnered with startups like AfroCloud to make that happen.

” He said such models not only enhance data sovereignty but also preserve cultural and social values embedded in AI models. “It’s more than just technology– it’s about ensuring that what we build reflects the essence of the societies it serves,” he said.

Wright added that Africa’s innovation ecosystem is gaining global recognition. “You could camp out at universities and be amazed at what’s happening,” he said.

“The intellectual engine is already running; what’s needed is structured collaboration.” Mr Kaliwo said AI innovation should be guided by practical needs,especially in agriculture.

“As technology evolves, we must evolve our solutions,” he said. “We are developing the Munda Platform, which connects IoT, cloud computing, and AI analytics–all powered by green energy for field-based use.

” He stressed that food systems must be at the heart of AI infrastructure. “If it doesn’t touch the farmer, we risk building systems that do not feed people,” he warned.

The panelists agreed that Africa’s climate innovation agenda depends on how well governments, international partners, and local entrepreneurs can align their efforts. The AI for Climate Action Forum 2025, which continues today, has drawn global participants exploring how AI can accelerate climate solutions while addressing Africa’s unique infrastructural and policy gaps.

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IMF visit to Kenya discussed reforms that could lead to a new programme

Nairobi. The International Monetary Fund said on Friday that a staff visit to Kenya took stock of the latest macroeconomic developments and discussed reforms that could pave the way for a new programme.

The IMF said in a statement that policy priorities included “measures to enhance fiscal policy credibility, ensure sustainability of public finances and debt, and minimize fiscal, financial, and external sector risks”. Discussions with Kenyan authorities would continue during the upcoming IMF Annual Meetings, it added.

The East African nation’s $3.6 billion programme with the IMF expired earlier this year, and some officials have expressed interest in getting a new one that will include a lending component. Some financial analysts have said that Kenya needs a new loan deal from the Washington-based Fund to anchor its external debt repayments.

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We need sustainability leadership today, more than ever

In the Philippines, we live at the intersection of pressing realities: climate risks, social inequities and governance challenges.

Against this backdrop, leadership can no longer be measured only by financial results. True leadership is about creating a positive impact that endures-and experiencing the deep fulfillment of knowing your work carries meaning beyond profit.

We asked Mr. Jun Roy, subject matter expert of Inquirer Academy on sustainability leadership, for his thoughts on this.

He says there are five reasons why embracing sustainability leadership is one of the most significant choices you can make as a leader.

1. Leave a legacy of resilience

The Philippines is one of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world.

Leaders who champion sustainability help build organizations and communities that are resilient to shocks, ensuring not only survival but continuity for future generations.

That kind of legacy outlasts balance sheets.

2. Uplift people and communities

Sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns-it is also about people. By promoting inclusion, well-being and human dignity, leaders create a working environment that uplifts employees, families and communities.

The joy of seeing others thrive because of your leadership is success in its highest form.

3. Lead with integrity that inspires trust

In a society where governance gaps often erode confidence, ethical leadership stands out. Leaders who embed fairness, transparency and accountability in their decisions earn trust that money cannot buy.

Integrity-driven leadership becomes both your reputation and your legacy.

4. Turn challenges into meaningful solutions

From plastic pollution to poverty and congestion, the Philippines faces systemic challenges. Sustainability leadership equips you with the mindset and tools to transform these into opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

The ability to create solutions where others see problems is one of the most fulfilling aspects of leadership.

5. Grow into a leader of significance

Beyond titles and achievements, what truly matters is significance-the difference you make. This program helps leaders appreciate sustainability, gain perspective, grow in practice and apply principles that regenerate not just businesses but the nation itself.

It is in becoming a leader of significance that you find the deepest fulfillment.

Why be a sustainability leader?

Because it brings the priceless reward of knowing that your work carries meaning, your decisions create positive impact and your leadership contributes to a future worth passing on. INQ

Roy will facilitate another batch of the workshop titled ‘Sustainability Leadership: Strategies and Practices in Championing Sustainability Culture in Organizations’ on Nov. 6.

The eight-hour course is designed to give you tools to create real impact through sustainability. Step into leadership that matters for your organization, your people and the country.

Trump exerted leverage for Gaza deal but tough questions remain

Washington. With the Gaza war entering its third year, U.

S. President Donald Trump has achieved something no other world leader has been able to do: strong-arm Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into the first step of a broader peace deal while persuading other Middle Eastern countries to pressure Hamas.

But despite its potentially historic nature, Trump’s rushed deal signed in Egypt on Thursday leaves a host of unresolved issues that could still trip up implementation of the initial phase and impede progress toward the next, analysts say. While crediting Trump with the most promising breakthrough yet to end the war, experts say the immediate challenge will be to iron out practical details for what has been agreed to on paper: silencing the guns, exchanging Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners and a partial Israeli withdrawal inside the devastated enclave.

After that, negotiators must tackle other parts of Trump’s 20-point plan over which the two sides remain bitterly at odds, including the disarmament of Hamas, which the militant group rejects, a formal end to the conflict and Gaza’s post-war governance. None of this was dealt with in three days of indirect negotiations in Egyptian beach resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where Trump had sent his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff to help mediate.

But a quick resolution appears unlikely. “There is an enormous number of potential sticking points that are going to really determine whether this ceasefire ends up being the beginning of peace or just another twist in the cycle of violence,” said Jonathan Panikoff, a former deputy U.

S. national intelligence officer on the Middle East.

Preventing the ceasefire deal from unraveling, as others have under Trump and his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden, will require a sustained, detailed effort by the president and his national security team, said Panikoff, now at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington. But with Trump’s foreign policy team stripped of some of its policy expertise due to job cuts and now hampered by the federal government shutdown, that won’t be easy.

For now, though, Trump – who has touted the deal as another reason why he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize – has through force of will seemingly gained momentum for Gaza peace beyond what many experts thought was possible. Successful completion of the deal would mark a significant foreign policy achievement for the Republican president, who had campaigned on bringing peace to major world conflicts but has struggled to swiftly deliver, both in Gaza and on Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Trump’s strategy Just weeks ago, peace in Gaza seemed more distant than ever after Israel launched a strike on Hamas’ leadership in Qatar, a U.S.

ally. But Trump’s aides decided to turn his anger at Netanyahu into pressure on the Israeli leader to accept a framework for ending the war, which they presented to Muslim leaders on the sidelines of the U.

N. General Assembly last month, according to people familiar with the matter.

Whereas Netanyahu readily defied Biden over Israel’s assault on Gaza in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border attack, he found it harder to buck Trump, despite Israeli misgivings over the Gaza plan, including cracking open the door to eventual Palestinian statehood.

Trump had joined Israel in striking Iran’s nuclear sites in June and stood by Netanyahu amid increasing international isolation. Opinion polls have consistently shown Trump more popular with the Israeli public than their prime minister.

“Without the leverage, there was no deal. Bibi cannot say no to Trump,” said Dennis Ross, a former Middle East adviser to Republican and Democratic administrations, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.

But the Israeli leader still faces big risks at home, including the chance that some far-right members of his governing coalition could quit his government over the concessions he has agreed. In addition, Trump was able to marshal support from key Middle East states, especially Qatar and Turkey, to pressure Hamas to drop its opposition to certain issues, such as releasing Israeli hostages, dead and alive, at the start of the process rather than using them as bargaining chips further down the line.

Qatar, home to the largest U.S.

military base in the Middle East, has warmed to Trump over upgraded security and business ties since he took office in January. During a White House visit in late September, Trump put Netanyahu on the phone with the Qatari prime minister to apologize for the strike in Doha.

Trump has also deepened his relationship with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who is seeking advanced U.S.

weaponry, and asked him to help push Hamas to accept the deal. Known for his love of pomp and ceremony, Trump appeared ready to head to Israel this weekend around the time the hostages are due to come home.

Netanyahu has invited him to address Israel’s parliament. Even so, some of the details of the first phase of Trump’s plan remain unsettled, such as the final lists of Palestinian prisoners to be freed by Israel in exchange for the 20 living hostages and estimated 28 dead.

Also unresolved are longer-term questions about Gaza’s future. Those include whether Hamas would be allowed to have any part in governing Gaza, something Trump and Netanyahu have steadfastly rejected, as well as how to rebuild the territory from its ruins and who will pay for it.

The elusive quest for Middle East peace has been the bane of American presidents from Jimmy Carter to Biden. But some analysts see hope for at least a halt to the latest wave of destruction.

“There seems to be momentum behind it,” said Jonathan Alterman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington. “But it’s a mistake to think that this is all resolved.

We will have some white-knuckle moments in the coming weeks.” .