Trump declares ‘war is over’ ahead of Israel visit, says ‘everyone is happy’ — Jews, Muslims, Arabs
US President Donald Trump is set to arrive in Tel Aviv for a visit that includes meeting families of hostages and addressing Israeli lawmakers. Following his stop in Israel, he will co-chair a peace summit in Egypt with regional leaders, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
US President Donald Trump said Sunday, during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One en route to Israel, that his upcoming visit to the Middle East aims to bring together leaders from across the region in support of ongoing peace efforts.
“We are gonna make everybody happy... Everybody is happy, whether it's Jewish or Muslim or the Arab countries,” Trump said.
The president added that following his stop in Israel, he would travel to Egypt to continue discussions with regional leaders.
"We are going to Egypt after Israel, and we are going to meet all of the leaders of the very powerful and big countries and very rich countries and others, and they're all into this deal," he said.
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Trump is expected to arrive in Tel Aviv early Monday morning local time. His tightly scheduled visit, which he described as “a very special time,” includes a private meeting with families of hostages at the Knesset, followed by a public address to Israeli lawmakers.
Vice President JD Vance said Trump was likely to meet with newly freed hostages, AP reported.
“The war is over,” Trump asserted to reporters as he departed, adding he thought the ceasefire would hold.
Following his visit to Israel, Trump will travel to Egypt, where President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi's office said he will co-chair a “peace summit” on Monday with regional and international leaders.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority, will attend, his adviser, Mahmoud al-Habbash, told The Associated Press.
While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected any role for Abbas in postwar Gaza, the US plan leaves the possibility open if the Palestinian Authority undergoes reforms. Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, reported AP.
The latest Israel-Gaza conflict erupted on 7 October 2023, when Hamas carried out an assault on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
In response, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed over 67,000 Palestinians and injured nearly 1,70,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
While the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and fighters, it reports that roughly half of the deaths were women and children.
- Trump's visit marks a significant diplomatic effort to address the ongoing conflict in the region.
- The President's statements reflect a hopeful outlook towards achieving peace among diverse groups.
- The war's human cost highlights the urgency for a sustainable resolution.