The Middle East being the Middle East, it was probably foolish to believe or even hope that the broad support for President Trump’s Gaza peace plan meant the end of the war was near. 

By Saturday, the only certainty was that a new round of complex negotiations would be needed. 

Predictably, Hamas is to blame.

The terror group made it perfectly clear it’s in no hurry to end the war it started almost exactly two years ago. 

Proof that Hamas wants peace on the back burner came via its response to a demand from Trump that it meet a Sunday deadline for accepting his entire 20-point plan. 

The alternative, he said, would be to face “all hell like no one has ever seen before.” 

The peace plan had been immediately and enthusiastically endorsed by Israel and numerous Arab and Muslim countries, including Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which is Hamas’ leading funder and protector. 

The impressive lineup of international support, including from European leaders, created a sense of momentum and offered a roadmap and a tight timetable that seemingly put a settlement within reach. 

The detailed terms, including a plan for keeping the peace, also spoke to the enormous effort Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared........

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