WASHINGTON — As he flew to Israel to oversee the release of hostages from Gaza, U.S. President Donald Trump declared aboard Air Force One that “the war is over,” asserting confidence in the new ceasefire deal brokered between Israel and Hamas.
Trump made the remarks as a three-day truce held in Gaza under the first phase of a multi-step peace plan, which includes the return of 20 living Israeli hostages and the release of 28 deceased ones. He described the agreement as a turning point, signaling the start of normalization in the Middle East.
During the flight, the President said that a “Board of Peace” would be established promptly to oversee Gaza’s recovery and governance. Trump also credited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatar for their roles in facilitating the deal.
Under the ceasefire, Israel is expected to release about 250 Palestinian prisoners and more than 1,700 detainees from Gaza. Hamas, in turn, will hand over living hostages and the bodies of others taken during the October 7, 2023 attack. Trump’s trip includes plans to address the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) and attend an international summit in Egypt alongside world leaders and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Meanwhile, the region faces enormous challenges as displaced residents return to war-torn neighborhoods and humanitarian aid continues to flow into Gaza.
Analysts caution that while the ceasefire represents hope, the long‑term success depends on resolving key issues such as disarmament, governance of Gaza, and security guarantees on all sides.
As Trump approaches Israel, eyes are on how the agreement will be implemented, how durable it will be, and whether it marks the beginning of a lasting peace after years of conflict.
Souce: BBC