United States President Donald Trump will be travelling to the Middle East on Sunday, seeking to solidify his perceived role as a regional peacemaker following the Gaza ceasefire agreement he helped broker.
Trump will arrive in Israel on Monday morning, where he is expected to deliver an address to the Knesset before departing later that day. His visit coincides with the deadline for Hamas to release hostages as part of the ceasefire deal.
Trump is likely to meet with freed hostages during his visit.
The visit comes just days after the Nobel Peace Prize Committee overlooked Trump’s public campaigning for the award, instead granting it to right-wing Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.
This week, the Trump administration, along with other intermediaries, successfully brokered a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, potentially bringing an end to a brutal conflict that has lasted over two years.
The White House has criticized the decision, accusing the Norwegian Nobel Committee of prioritizing “place politics over peace.”
In contrast, Trump is likely to receive widespread praise in the Middle East. Both Israel and Hamas have already lauded his role in brokering the ceasefire and facilitating the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump outlined his itinerary and emphasized the significance of the agreement, which includes the release of hostages and the return of approximately 28 bodies.
“It is a great deal for Israel, but it’s a great deal for everybody—for Arabs, for Muslims, for the world. On Monday, the hostages come back. They’re in some pretty rough places underground. Only a few people know where they are… They’re also getting approximately 28 bodies. Some of those bodies are being unearthed right now as we speak. It’s a tragedy,” Trump said.
“I’ll be going to Israel. I’ll be speaking at the Knesset. Then I’m also going to Egypt. Everybody wants this deal to happen.”
Trump added that the agreement marks a broader step toward peace in the region.
“I think Gaza is going to be rebuilt. There are some very wealthy countries there. It would take a small fraction of their wealth to do that. Gaza is very important, but this is beyond Gaza. This is peace in the Middle East. It is a beautiful thing.”
From Israel, Trump will head to Egypt for an official signing ceremony on the Gaza deal.
Experts expressed caution that achieving lasting peace in Gaza will require sustained pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to resume military operations after the hostages are freed.
The war erupted in October 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing more than 1,000 people. In the aftermath, Israeli forces carried out a prolonged military campaign in Gaza, which has led to the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, widespread destruction, and dire conditions, including famine.
Israeli forces began withdrawing from key areas of Gaza on Friday, signaling the start of a crucial 72-hour window. This window, part of the ceasefire agreement, is set to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack. The hostage crisis was one of the most contentious aspects of the conflict, and their release is seen as a pivotal moment in the broader peace efforts.
The ceasefire is fragile, and much work remains to ensure long-term stability and address the deep-rooted issues driving the conflict.
