Donald Trump Visits Israel to Celebrate Gaza Ceasefire

US President Donald Trump has embarked on a significant trip to Israel and Egypt, marking what he describes as a "very special time" following a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza conflict. Before boarding Air Force One, Trump expressed his excitement, stating, "This is going to be a very special time. Everybody’s very excited about this moment in time."

The President's visit is notable as it coincides with the release of hostages and the implementation of the first phase of the Gaza Peace Plan. Trump emphasized the unique atmosphere of unity surrounding the ceasefire, saying, "This is a very special event... Everybody’s cheering at one time. That’s never happened before. Usually, if you have one cheering, the other isn’t."

During his visit, Trump will meet privately with families of hostages at the Knesset and deliver a public address to Israeli lawmakers. This marks his first visit to Israel since announcing the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Following his engagements in Israel, Trump will travel to Egypt for a peace ceremony in Sharm el-Sheikh, where he will co-chair a summit with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The summit aims to solidify the ceasefire and establish a political framework for Gaza's governance post-conflict. More than 20 nations are expected to participate, although neither Israel nor Hamas will attend.

Iran has declined to send representatives to the summit, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating they would not engage with those who threaten Iran. Despite this, Iran supports initiatives to end violence in Gaza and uphold Palestinian rights.

Trump's visit underscores the urgency of achieving a comprehensive peace agreement in the region. He is scheduled to return to Washington shortly after midnight on Tuesday, following a tightly packed itinerary that reflects the importance of US involvement in Middle Eastern diplomacy.