U.S. President Donald Trump announced the Gaza war had ended as he departed for Israel, marking his first visit since brokering a major ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The President, who is expected to address the Knesset, will then travel to Egypt to co-chair a high-level peace summit focused on the region’s future.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!“The war is over, you understand that,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, expressing his belief that the region is “going to normalise.” He praised Qatar for its role in mediating the ceasefire and commended Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for doing a “very good job.”
Hostage-Prisoner Swap and Gaza’s Future
Trump indicated that some hostages may be released earlier than expected. He also revealed plans for a “Board of Peace” to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, which he described as a “demolition site.”
The President noted widespread international support for the deal: “Everybody is happy, whether it’s Jewish or Muslim or the Arab countries… we are going to meet all of the leaders of the very powerful and big countries and very rich countries and others and they’re all into this deal.”
The announcement comes as the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas holds for a third consecutive day. The truce, mediated by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, aims to end the conflict that began on October 7, 2023.
Peace Summit Co-Chaired by Trump and el-Sisi
President Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi are scheduled to co-chair the peace summit on Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh. More than 20 world leaders will meet to finalize the peace deal’s framework and discuss Gaza’s post-war reconstruction.
The summit’s goal is to “end the war in the Gaza Strip, enhance efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, and usher in a new era of regional security.” Attendees include leaders from France, the UK, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and India, as well as the UN Secretary-General. The Palestinian Authority (PA), through President Mahmoud Abbas, confirmed its participation. However, Hamas will reportedly skip the official signing.
Hostage Exchange Underway
The truce continues to hold as preparations for a major hostage and prisoner exchange move forward. An Israeli government spokesperson confirmed that 20 living hostages are expected to be released early Monday morning, followed by the return of the bodies of 28 deceased hostages.
Under the agreement, Hamas is required to release all remaining hostages by noon Monday (0900 GMT), in exchange for Israel freeing 250 Palestinian prisoners. While the exchange is proceeding, key aspects like Gaza’s governance, Israeli troop withdrawal, and Hamas disarmament remain unresolved.
Netanyahu Declares “Victory,” But Warns Campaign is “Not Over”
Despite Trump’s declaration, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu struck a cautious tone, declaring “victory” over Hamas but warning that the military “campaign is not over.”
“Tomorrow is the beginning of a new path—a path of building, of healing, and, I hope, of uniting hearts,” Netanyahu said in a televised address, cautioning that “There are still major security challenges ahead of us.”
Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced the launch of Operation “Returning Home” to bring back the hostages, stating: “In a few hours we will all be reunited, one people, embraced and united.” Thousands of Palestinians are reportedly traveling north toward Gaza City, hoping the ceasefire signals a permanent end to the fighting.
What aspect of the peace deal are you most interested in learning more about: the hostage-prisoner swap details, the proposed “Board of Peace” for Gaza’s reconstruction, or the outcomes of the Sharm el-Sheikh summit?
