Trump’s Vision: A New Middle East Peace Era
In a high-stakes bid to redefine regional dynamics, the former U.S. president framed his latest diplomacy as an “historic dawn of a new Middle East.” Speaking to the Israeli Knesset hours after the release of the last Israeli hostages in Gaza, he argued that Israel has achieved all it can through force and should begin an era of cooperation that could extend toward peace with Iran. The message signals a shift from exclusive security focus to broader regional engagement aimed at stabilizing the region and encouraging reconciliation with longstanding adversaries.
From Military Victory to Political Peace
Trump asserted that Israel’s military outcomes, while decisive, must translate into lasting peace and prosperity for the broader Middle East. He emphasized that the era of terror and death would give way to diplomatic settlement, urging Arab states to support a framework in which security and diplomacy reinforce each other. The speech reflected a dual objective: reassure allies that the Gaza campaign would not reopen, and signal to Iran that a future of containment could evolve into negotiation.
Phases of Gaza Reconstruction and Regional Security
Following his address, Trump traveled to Egypt for a summit with more than 20 world leaders focused on Gaza’s reconstruction and a limited form of Palestinian self-rule. The gathering, hosted with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al‑Sisi in Sharm el‑Sheikh, outlined a phase-two plan for Gaza’s rehabilitation and a broader stabilisation framework. Officials described reconstruction costs as exceeding $30 billion, with wealthy Arab states urged to contribute substantial funds to rebuild life in Gaza and deter renewed violence.
Coalition Building: The Abraham Accords and Beyond
Trump pressed Arab states to sign the Abraham Accords swiftly, underscoring a trajectory toward broader regional recognition of Israel. He also floated the possibility that Iran would be ready for peace, framing the situation as a potential pivot point rather than a fixed confrontation. European diplomats cautioned that pace must be matched with credible enforcement mechanisms, including an international stabilisation force and a Palestinian civil police presence to be deployed in Gaza under a UN-backed mandate.
International Help, Local Realities
France, the United States, and the United Kingdom signaled willingness to back the stabilisation effort, but the legitimacy and effectiveness of any force would hinge on regional participation, including troops from Muslim-majority nations such as Indonesia and Turkey. The plan also involves a Palestinian National Authority civilian police force trained in Egypt and Jordan, aimed at governance and order in Gaza. The political balance remains delicate, as Hamas has indicated it could disarm only within a Palestinian-led framework and may resist changes that challenge its control.
Engagement with Palestinian Leaders
In a notable moment at the summit, Trump met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for the first time in years, signaling a willingness to engage directly in the post-conflict era. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Abbas’s attendance as a positive signal for the Palestinian Authority’s role in governance and reform. Macron stressed the necessity of a two-state framework and called for a path that unites Gaza with the West Bank to achieve durable peace.
Looking Ahead: A Path Toward Two States?
While the talks emphasize reconstruction and stabilisation, the broader political question remains: can a peace process that provides security for Israel and a viable Palestinian state gain momentum with Iran’s involvement on the table? Observers say the next phase will test the credibility of a regional security framework, the resilience of a divided Palestinian leadership, and the willingness of major powers to sustain a long-term commitment to peace in a volatile landscape.
