Trump Declares ‘War is Over’ in Gaza as He Embarks on Middle East Peace Mission
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U.S. President Donald Trump departed Sunday for Israel and Egypt, asserting that the conflict in Gaza has concluded despite ongoing uncertainties surrounding the implementation of a recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
President Trump’s visit is intended to highlight his perceived role in brokering last week’s ceasefire and hostage release deal. However, the trip occurs during a delicate period as Israel and Hamas continue negotiations regarding the future of the region.
The 79-year-old president is scheduled to arrive in Israel coinciding with the anticipated release of hostages held by Hamas. He will address the Israeli parliament before traveling to Egypt to host a major peace summit.
“The war is over. Okay? You understand that?” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when questioned about his confidence in a lasting resolution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Speaking prior to departure from Joint Base Andrews near Washington, Trump characterized the visit as a “very special time.”
“Everybody’s very excited about this moment in time. This is a very special event,” he said, shielding himself with an umbrella from light rain.
Accompanying the president on the presidential jet were U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA chief John Ratcliffe, and top U.S. military officer Dan Caine.
Trump, who reportedly had his name chanted by crowds in Israel on Saturday, stated that the initial phase of the agreement he announced last week was met with “cheering” in both Israel and across Muslim and Arab nations.
“Everybody’s cheering at one time, that’s never happened before. Usually if you have one cheering the other isn’t, the other is the opposite,” Trump explained.
“This is the first time everybody is amazed and they’re thrilled and it’s an honor to be involved,” he added, anticipating “an amazing time.”
Addressing Hostage Families and Regional Concerns
Upon arrival in Israel, Trump is expected to meet with the families of hostages seized during the October 7, 2023, cross-border attack by Hamas, which resulted in 1,219 deaths and initiated Israel’s military response in Gaza.
Israeli authorities estimate that 48 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, with 20 still believed to be alive. Simultaneously, over 11,100 Palestinians are currently imprisoned in Israel, facing allegations of torture, starvation, and inadequate medical care, conditions that have reportedly contributed to fatalities, according to both Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations and media outlets.
The initial phase of the Gaza ceasefire took effect Friday at noon (0900 GMT), with Israeli forces initiating a gradual withdrawal to the so-called yellow line, triggering a 72-hour window for the exchange of hostages and prisoners.
A subsequent phase of the plan reportedly focuses on establishing a new governing structure in Gaza without Hamas, forming a joint security force comprised of Palestinians and troops from Arab and Islamic countries, and ultimately disarming Hamas.
Since October 2023, Israeli military operations have resulted in the deaths of over 67,600 Palestinians, a significant proportion of whom are reported to be women and children, rendering the enclave largely uninhabitable.
Summit in Egypt and Future Plans
Trump will deliver remarks to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, becoming the fourth U.S. president to do so. His time on Israeli soil is expected to be less than four hours.
Following his visit to Israel, Trump will travel to Egypt, where he and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will co-host a summit involving more than 20 world leaders. The purpose of the summit is to garner support for his plan to end the Gaza war and foster broader Middle East peace.
The former president has already positioned the Gaza deal as a significant personal achievement, with his trip clearly intended to underscore his success in securing the release of hostages.
However, Trump also aims to address the considerable uncertainties surrounding the subsequent phases of the Gaza agreement and to establish a long-term solution for the region.
Trump has indicated he will lead a “Board of Peace” as part of his 20-point plan, though details regarding the next steps remain unclear. Critical issues, including Hamas’s reluctance to disarm and Israel’s lack of commitment to a full withdrawal from the devastated territory, remain unresolved.
Trump recently expressed confidence in achieving peace, stating that “they’re all tired of the fighting.” U.S. Vice President JD Vance affirmed Sunday that Trump would apply “consistent leverage and consistent pressure” on all involved parties.
