Trump’s Middle East Visit Aims to Seal Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
President Donald Trump is set to embark on a trip to the Middle East, seeking to solidify what he hopes will be the most significant diplomatic achievement of his second term: a deal to end the Israel-Hamas conflict and welcome home hostages held for two years.
The current fragile ceasefire represents a crucial test of Trump’s negotiation skills, one that could enhance his legacy as a peacemaker if it holds. The president’s team is optimistic that his personal assurances, along with U.S. military oversight, will stabilize the agreement. Trump plans to stop in Israel and Egypt on Monday to celebrate the ceasefire and discuss the next steps for the war-torn region.
“I don’t think they’re going to want to disappoint me,” Trump stated as he departed for the Middle East. He asserted that he had received “a lot of verbal guarantees” from various parties involved in the deal, which he believes will ensure its success.
However, numerous variables could jeopardize the agreement, potentially leading to another brief pause in a long-standing conflict that predates Israel’s founding 77 years ago. U.S. officials have underscored the importance of continued American involvement to mitigate these risks.
Should the deal prove enduring, it could signify a substantial step toward lasting peace—something neither Trump nor his predecessor, Joe Biden, accomplished despite multiple attempts since the eruption of hostilities following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The pact emerged as Trump exerted pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and enlisted Arab allies to facilitate communications with Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and the European Union.
The return of hostages would strip Hamas of a crucial bargaining chip but analysts suggest the group has opted to use it as leverage now. Convincing Netanyahu to gradually withdraw from Gaza could help staunch the violence and provide Palestinians with an opportunity to improve their global standing.
“The Trump administration has communicated to both parties that continuing the war is worse than pursuing this framework,” said Michael Herzog, former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. He cautioned, however, that significant challenges remain ahead.
As part of the trip, Trump will engage with families of hostages in Israel and address the Knesset before traveling to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, to co-host a peace summit with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, attended by various Arab and European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
While the Abraham Accords were hailed as major foreign policy successes during Trump’s first term—facilitating normalization between Israel and several Arab nations—the assault by Hamas underscores a need for renewed discussions. Ending the conflict could pave the way for these dialogues to resume.
Crucially, a sustainable peace is necessary to halt the violence in Gaza and allow for humanitarian recovery following devastating Israeli attacks that have resulted in substantial civilian casualties. These actions have strained traditional Western alliances, especially following the recent acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood by several nations at the United Nations.
The deal’s success hinges on a multi-stage process, beginning with a hostage-for-prisoner exchange between Israel and the Palestinians. Many details remain unresolved, including how Hamas will disarm, which nations will contribute to a stabilization force in Gaza, and the specifics of Israel’s military withdrawal.
The White House has indicated that a 72-hour countdown for hostage release has begun, placing the responsibility on Hamas to deliver approximately 20 living captives and the remains of others. U.S. officials noted that potential future disputes will require mediation to ensure lasting peace.
Front and center is how the Trump administration plans to guarantee that Israel will refrain from renewed hostilities once hostages are freed. Netanyahu and his coalition have expressed a commitment to obliterating Hamas, and doubts remain about the acceptance of a future Palestinian state.
Trump reportedly made assurances to Hamas ensuring that Israel would not reignite conflicts, although the exact nature of these guarantees remains unclear. The president acknowledged the need for further negotiations, stating that while most issues have consensus, some specifics will still need to be worked out.
The negotiations leading to the agreement accelerated recently, following discussions that began in August regarding a potential minor prisoner exchange. The discussions yielded a framework that has evolved into Trump’s 20-point plan.
In the course of this week, top Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, traveled to Egypt and Israel for final discussions, with Trump participating via speakerphone during crucial talks. Officials indicated that Trump’s direct involvement was indicative of U.S. commitment and critical in persuading all parties to agree.
The trip aims to reinforce Trump’s commitment to ensuring that the ceasefire remains intact, with the deployment of 200 U.S. military personnel to oversee the creation of an International Stabilization Force in the region.
According to U.S. officials, Netanyahu trusts Trump to prioritize Israeli security, enabling more open discussions about Gaza’s future and dismissing proposals that Israel would oppose. This arrangement has reportedly mitigated complications that have historically plagued peace talks.
Trump has drawn praise from some Democrats for his role in facilitating the ceasefire. “I think he should get a lot of credit,” remarked Senator Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat. “Now we’re going to have to see what happens next.”
Trump’s forthcoming trip occurs just after the announcement of the latest Nobel Peace Prize. While this year’s award went to a Venezuelan opposition leader, a successful alignment in the Middle East might provide Trump a compelling case for future recognition.
