Trump Declares End of Gaza War, Hails ‘Moment of Peace’ and New Administration
In a significant announcement from his presidential aircraft, U.S. President Donald Trump declared an end to the conflict in Gaza, signaling a potential new chapter for the region ahead of his planned visits to the region.
“The War is Over”
Speaking to reporters on Monday, President Trump stated unequivocally, “The war is over.” He further announced that a new administration in Gaza would commence its work very soon, framing it as a pivotal step towards stability. Expressing a personal desire to visit the area, Trump remarked, “I would love to do that. I would love to at least put my feet on it. But I think it will be a great miracle in the coming decades.”
A Broad Coalition for Peace
The U.S. President emphasized widespread international support for the new peace framework. “Everybody wants to be a member of the Gaza peace council,” he said, expressing confidence in the commitments he received. He painted a picture of widespread satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “We will make everybody happy, and everybody is happy, be it Jewish, Muslim, or from Arab countries. This is a moment that I don’t think you will ever see again.”
Trump also noted that any prior disagreements with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been “quickly resolved,” underscoring a unified approach.
Praise for Key Mediators
A key highlight of Trump’s comments was his effusive praise for the role of Qatar in facilitating the agreement. “The way Qatar helped us achieve the Gaza agreement was amazing,” he said. “The Amir of Qatar is a fantastic guy who really helped us in the Gaza agreement. The Qataris are very courageous, and their leader, the Amir, is very courageous.”
Parallel Talks on Ukraine
The in-flight press conference also covered the ongoing situation in Ukraine. President Trump reported having a “very good” conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which they discussed the types of weapons Ukraine requires.
Trump confirmed that Kyiv is seeking to acquire Tomahawk missiles from the United States, calling them “a step up.” He indicated a potential strategic dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the matter, suggesting he might tell Putin, “Look, if this war is not going to be settled, I am sending them Tomahawks.”
Expressing his belief in a diplomatic resolution, Trump added, “I really think it would look great if President Putin settles it. And I think he will. But we will see. And if he doesn’t, it won’t be good for him.”