US President Donald Trump flew to Israel and Egypt today to celebrate a fragile Gaza ceasefire he helped broker, which is set to free Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Aboard Air Force One, Trump stunned reporters with a candid reflection on the afterlife.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!When asked if his efforts—including the war in Ukraine—would secure his place in heaven, the President replied with a smile, “I don’t think there’s anything going to get me into heaven. I’m not sure, I’m heaven-bound, but I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people.” He later declared the conflict “The war is over.”
The trip culminates with an address to the Knesset, making him only the fourth US President to do so, followed by a major peace summit in Egypt. The fragile 20-point peace plan now hinges on the release of 20 Israeli hostages for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees.
US President Donald Trump is in the Middle East to mark the fourth day of a fragile Gaza ceasefire he helped negotiate, a deal that includes a major prisoner and hostage exchange.
Reflections on Heaven: Before landing, the President made headlines when he told reporters aboard Air Force One that he didn’t believe he was “heaven-bound,” despite his global peace efforts. The comment was a follow-up to previous remarks linking his efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war to his spiritual prospects.
The Peace Deal: Trump’s 20-point plan calls for Hamas to release 20 surviving Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees, including those held since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack. The Israeli Justice Ministry has released the names of 250 Palestinians convicted of serious crimes who are scheduled for release.
Upcoming Itinerary: On Monday, Trump will address the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, making him the fourth US President to be given the honor. He will then head to Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh to chair a summit of over 20 world leaders to solidify the peace, though many complex issues—like the governance of Gaza—remain unresolved.
Trump Heads to Middle East Amid Gaza Peace Deal; Reflects on Afterlife
US President Donald Trump has arrived in Israel and Egypt to capitalize on the fragile Gaza ceasefire he brokered, a deal highlighted by an anticipated hostage-prisoner exchange and his upcoming address to the Knesset.
The Hostage Exchange and Ceasefire
The 20-point Gaza peace deal, mediated by the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, calls for the release of the final 20 living Israeli hostages held by Hamas. In return, Israel is set to release almost 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners, including 1,700 held since October 7, 2023. The list of high-profile Palestinian figures, such as Marwan Barghouti, was excluded from the release roster. Speaking on Air Force One, the President sounded an optimistic note, stating, “The war is over,” and predicting the region would “normalise.”
The Controversial Afterlife Remark
Trump made a striking personal comment to reporters en route to the Middle East, reflecting on his spiritual future. When questioned about his previous remarks suggesting his efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war might get him into heaven, he replied:
“I don’t think there’s anything going to get me into heaven. I’m not sure, I’m heaven-bound, but I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people.”
Historic Diplomatic Tour
On Monday, Trump will become only the fourth US President to address the Knesset (Israel’s parliament). Following his stop in Israel, he will attend a summit of more than 20 world leaders in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, where the next stage of his peace plan, envisioning a “Board of Peace” led by the President, will be discussed. However, key details, including the future governance of Gaza and the ultimate fate of Hamas, remain unsettled.
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