Trump Hails Gaza War’s End, Pushes for Middle East Peace

Published: 14 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Donald Trump has declared the Gaza conflict over and signalled a bold push toward peace in the Middle East, including potential diplomatic breakthroughs with Iran. Addressing the Israeli Knesset just hours after the final hostages were released from Gaza, the US president described the moment as a “historic dawn of a new Middle East” and the close of a “long and painful nightmare.”

“This is not only the end of war – this is the end of an age of terror and death,” Trump said. “Israel, with our help, has won all that it can by force of arms. Now it’s time to translate those victories on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East.” His remarks emphasised both Israel’s military success and the transition toward regional cooperation, reassuring Arab states that Hamas would neither be allowed to reassert itself in Gaza nor provoke further conflict.

Following the Knesset address, Trump flew to Egypt for a high-level summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, co-hosted with President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, bringing together more than 20 world leaders. The summit endorsed Trump’s Gaza peace plan, outlining reconstruction efforts, limited Palestinian self-rule, and the responsibilities of the US, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt as guarantors of the agreement.

Trump described phase two of the plan, focused on rebuilding Gaza, as already underway, urging wealthy Arab states to contribute funds to what he described as a region of “debris times 10.” Reconstruction costs are estimated to exceed $30 billion. He predicted that Gaza would be demobilised, Hamas disarmed, and Israel’s security assured.

Trump also indicated pressure would be applied to accelerate the Abraham Accords, encouraging Arab states to recognise Israel while signalling that Iran is also prepared for peace. European diplomats cautioned that the rapid ceasefire requires urgent implementation of an international stabilisation force and a Palestinian civil police force to ensure Hamas disarmament is enforceable. Hamas has stated it will only disarm under conditions aligned with a Palestinian-led authority, while Israel maintains its forces inside Gaza until tunnels and weapons are fully neutralised.

France, the US, and the UK have offered to act as backstops to the international force, with credibility resting largely on troops from Muslim-majority countries such as Indonesia and Turkey. France is advocating for the force to operate under a UN mandate. A trained Palestinian National Authority police force stands ready to enter Gaza, but delays could lead to clashes with Hamas if not deployed swiftly.

Trump announced he would chair the board overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction and technocratic Palestinian government, with Sisi as a board member. He also floated the idea of former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair joining, pending regional support. In a historic moment, Trump met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, reversing a recent ban on his UN participation.

French President Emmanuel Macron praised Abbas’s attendance as a recognition of the Palestinian Authority’s legitimate role and stressed the importance of linking Gaza and the West Bank, supporting continued European training for Palestinian police, and coordinating humanitarian aid with Egypt. Macron also reaffirmed his commitment to a two-state solution and warned against neglecting the West Bank amid ongoing settlement expansions.

The summit reflects an ambitious plan for post-conflict governance, reconstruction, and regional stability, aiming to translate Israel’s battlefield gains into lasting political and humanitarian outcomes across the Middle East.