WASHINGTON / SHARM EL-SHEIK: President Donald Trump declared that the war in Gaza “is over” as he departed Washington on Sunday for a landmark peace mission to the Middle East, where he will address Israel’s parliament and co-chair a global summit in Egypt.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas would “hold” and that the Middle East was “going to normalise.”
“The war is over, you understand that,” Trump said. “I’m good at solving wars. I’m good at making peace.”
The US president described his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “very good,” calling him a “wartime president” who “did a very good job.” He also credited Qatar for playing a crucial role in mediating the ceasefire, remarking that the Gulf nation “was amazing the way they helped us.”
Trump, who has often spoken of his ambition to win the Nobel Peace Prize, claimed the Gaza conflict was “the eighth war” he has resolved. “I did this not for a Nobel,” he said, “I did this for saving lives.”
A New ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza
During the flight, Trump also addressed questions about his proposal to create a “Board of Peace” to oversee Gaza’s post-war governance — a body that may include former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
“I’ve always liked Tony,” Trump said. “But I want to find out that he’s an acceptable choice to everybody.”
The White House’s 20-point Gaza Peace Plan, announced last month, lists Blair as a potential member of the board tasked with helping establish a new administrative framework for the enclave once Hamas is disarmed.
Trump is expected to receive a “hero’s welcome” in Israel’s Knesset on Monday before heading to Sharm el-Sheikh, where he and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will co-chair the international summit on Gaza’s reconstruction and regional peace.
The summit takes place as Israeli and Hamas negotiators prepare to exchange 20 Israeli captives for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners — a key step in the US-brokered ceasefire.
More than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 170,000 wounded since Israel launched its offensive following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel and saw 251 taken hostage.
