President Trump said Sunday that the war in Gaza was over and expressed confidence that the ceasefire he brokered several days ago will hold.

Why it matters: Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Israel — the first stop on his Middle East trip. His remarks were also an implicit warning to Israel and Hamas not to violate the deal. • Trump's peace plan ended the two-year war that started after Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks. More than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry.

Driving the news: As Trump was making his way to the region, both Hamas and Israel were making the last preparations for the release of Israeli hostages being held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners, who are being held in Israeli jails. • Israeli off

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