Separately, Trump and Hamas let the cat out of the bag

US President Donald J. Trump and Hamas have separately opened a Pandora’s Box that could fuel Middle Eastern fires for years to come.

Hamas did so when it unleashed Israel’s assault on Gaza with its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

With more than 50,000 dead and tens of thousands wounded and/or maimed for life, Palestinians have paid a stark price.

Israel’s assault has devastated the Strip and opened the door to Israeli reoccupation 20 years after the Jewish state withdrew its forces from the territory.

Mr. Trump played his part when he called in February during Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s first visit to Washington this year for resettling Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians elsewhere and turning the Strip into a high-end luxury real estate development.

In doing so, Mr. Trump allowed Israel to adopt a plan long envisioned by ultra-nationalists but not the general public as its official policy.

Now, the Pandora’s Box could come home to haunt Mr. Trump as he prepares to visit the Gulf next week.