Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed strong confidence in the durability of the truce. “The war is over. Okay? You understand that?” he said. “I think it is going to hold. There are a lot of reasons why it’s going to hold. But I think people are tired of it. It’s been centuries… I think people are tired of it.”
The ceasefire, which came into effect on Friday morning, follows the first phase of Trump’s 20-point Gaza Peace Plan. The plan includes the disarmament of Hamas and the establishment of a US-led coordination center in the region, currently staffed by 200 American troops. Negotiations on the next phases are still ongoing.
As part of the ceasefire deal, Hamas faces a deadline to release all hostages it is still holding in Gaza by midday local time (10:00 BST). At least 20 Israeli hostages are believed to be alive. Hamas is also expected to hand over the remains of up to 28 deceased hostages, according to US officials.
The war was triggered by Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and led to 251 being taken hostage. Since then, over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military response, including over 18,000 children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Before takeoff, Trump called the trip “a very special time,” describing it as a moment of rare unity. “This is a very special event. Everybody’s cheering at one time. That’s never happened before,” he said. “Usually, if one is cheering, the other isn’t. This time, everybody is amazed and thrilled — and it’s an honour to be involved.”
During his remarks, Trump praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatar for their roles in brokering the ceasefire. “They’ve done an incredible job. It was a real team effort,” he noted, adding that support from “very powerful, very rich countries” in the region has been instrumental in pushing the peace deal forward.
Trump’s first stop will be in Israel, where he will meet privately with families of hostages at the Knesset, followed by a public address to lawmakers. His visit marks the first since the ceasefire was announced and comes at a critical moment in the implementation of the peace plan.
Later on Monday, he will travel to Egypt to attend an international summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, where the ceasefire deal is expected to be formally signed. Several regional and international leaders will join discussions aimed at finalising the next steps in securing long-term peace.
The humanitarian toll of the conflict remains a top concern. Trump reiterated that rebuilding efforts in Gaza would begin “essentially immediately,” with humanitarian aid and infrastructure support prioritised in the early phases.
The visit underscores the urgency of ongoing diplomatic efforts to bring an end to one of the most devastating conflicts in recent Middle Eastern history. It follows Trump’s earlier outreach to Gulf states and reflects Washington’s renewed engagement in brokering peace in the region.
