In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering peace in Gaza, US President Donald Trump has joined forces with leaders from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, signing a declaration at a summit held in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
With palpable optimism in the air, Trump stated, A new and beautiful day is rising and now the rebuilding begins, as he lauded the cooperation among regional leaders that culminated in a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The US president highlighted the agreement during his address to the Knesset, stating, The long and painful nightmare is finally over, as he reflected on the cessation of conflict that has persisted for years.
As part of the truce, Israel has agreed to release 250 Palestinian prisoners along with over 1,700 other detainees taken during military operations in Gaza, in exchange for the last 20 Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
This momentous declaration represents the first phase of Trump’s peace initiative, which is also set to incorporate the return of the remains of 28 deceased Israeli hostages.
Trump expressed satisfaction with the outcome, proclaiming, Everybody's happy, and noted the unprecedented nature of this agreement, professing that it had taken 3,000 years to reach this pivotal moment.
During the summit, President al-Sisi presented Trump with the Order of the Nile, honoring him as an important figure in the peace process, which al-Sisi described as a historic milestone.
While the peace initiative is underway, concerns linger regarding the future role of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza’s governance, as discussions continue about subsequent phases of the peace agreement.
Trump concluded by suggesting that the region is witnessing the "historic dawn of a new Middle East," urging that while the ceasefire is an important step forward, ongoing negotiations will be essential for sustained peace.
