Trump casts Gaza victory as a doorway to broader peace
In a high-stakes address to the Israeli Knesset, President Donald Trump framed the latest chapter in the Gaza war as a turning point for the Middle East. He argued that Israel has achieved all it can by force and that the next phase should move toward peace, prosperity, and regional cooperation. The speech, delivered shortly after the release of the last Israeli hostages held in Gaza, positioned the war as over and introduced a forward-looking plan that seeks to integrate Israel into a broader Arab-led push for stability.
Trump’s rhetoric stressed that a complete military victory is not the sole objective; rather, the enduring goal is to translate battlefield gains into political arrangements that reduce threats and foster trust among neighboring states. By insisting that Israel’s military success should be followed by diplomatic wins, he sought to reassure Arab partners that the region can move beyond recurring cycles of confrontation.
Phase two: reconstruction, governance, and disarmament
From Egypt, Trump extended his optimism to the reconstruction of Gaza, saying phase two of the Gaza plan is already underway. He described a massive rebuilding effort—potentially over $30 billion—as a bridge from war to peace, emphasizing a future in which Gaza is demobilised, Hamas is disarmed, and Israel’s security is not threatened by renewed attacks. The plan envisions a Palestinian-led, technocratic government that would supervise reconstruction and governance, while a broader international framework would provide security and humanitarian support.
The summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, hosted by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, included more than twenty world leaders and a set of guarantors—principally the United States, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt—charged with ensuring accountability and progress. While the specifics of a long-term peace formula remain the subject of delicate diplomacy, leaders signaled a willingness to accelerate mechanisms that could prevent a Hamas resurgence and stabilize Gaza’s political economy.
Regional diplomacy accelerates: Abraham Accords and Iran
Trump’s outreach extended beyond Gaza’s borders to regions and actors who have long influenced Middle East security. He urged Arab nations to sign onto the Abraham Accords “quickly and without games,” reinforcing a regional normalization dynamic while maintaining pressure on Iran. The president asserted that Iran is also ready for peace, framing a potential shift in interactions with Tehran as part of a comprehensive peace project in which diplomacy, sanctions relief, and regional cooperation could coexist with security assurances.
European diplomats noted that the rapid ceasefire and the synchronization of security arrangements with reconstruction plans could require an accelerated international stabilization force and a civilian Palestinian police presence. The goal, they say, is a credible multi-country force—potentially including regional partners—operating under a UN framework to bridge the gap between Gaza and the West Bank and to support a two-state pathway.
What’s next for governance and humanitarian relief
Leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the importance of a legitimate Palestinian Authority role and reforms that would position Abbas’s government as a constructive partner in the post-conflict order. Macron also underscored the necessity of a formal Palestinian state alongside Israel as an enduring pathway to peace, while stressing that regional and international actors must coordinate to maintain momentum and ensure civilian protection.
Trump’s personal engagement—marking his first face-to-face interaction with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in years—signal strengths and risks for the peace process. The administration’s willingness to chair the reconstruction board and to invite regional figures onto it reflects a hands-on approach aimed at turning a ceasefire into a lasting political settlement. The coming weeks will reveal whether this framework can translate into credible governance, durable security guarantees, and real avenues toward peace with Iran and a redefined regional order.
