Trump casts new light on Middle East after Gaza ceasefire
In a landmark speech to the Israeli Knesset, former President Donald Trump framed the recent Gaza hostilities as the closing chapter of a long era of terrorism, arguing that Israel has achieved “all that it can by force of arms.” He described the moment as the “historic dawn of a new Middle East” and urged a shift from battlefield victories to lasting peace and prosperity across the region. The remarks, delivered hours after the last Israeli hostages were released from Gaza, positioned Trump as a key broker in a broader peace effort that could extend beyond Israel and its Arab neighbors toward dialogue with Iran.
From victory to diplomacy: Trump’s blueprint for a regional accord
Trump emphasized that Israel’s victory should not reopen the conflict with Hamas or allow the militant group to reassert itself in Gaza. He framed the moment as a chance to translate military success into political progress, signaling a potential pivot toward formalizing cooperation across the Middle East. The plan, he said, includes a path toward peace that could involve Palestinian self-rule and reconstruction efforts aimed at stabilizing Gaza while preserving regional security.
Sharm el-Sheikh summit: a multilateral effort to rebuild Gaza
Following his remarks in Jerusalem, Trump joined Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Sharm el-Sheikh for a summit that gathered more than 20 world leaders to endorse a comprehensive peace plan. The gathering underscored the international role in guiding Gaza’s reconstruction, with a consortium of guarantors—led by the United States, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt—agreeing to a framework of responsibilities to ensure peace and, eventually, Palestinian self-rule. Trump announced that phase two of the Gaza plan—reconstruction—had already begun and described the work as a process that includes significant clean-up and rebuilding efforts.
Financial commitments and the path to demobilization
With reconstruction estimates topping $30 billion, the U.S. pressed wealthy Arab states to contribute substantial funds to Gaza’s recovery, depicting the city as “debris times 10” and stressing that a rebuilt Gaza is central to regional stability. Trump predicted that Gaza would be demobilized and Hamas disarmed, asserting that Israel’s security would no longer be threatened. The climate of urgency reflected the broader objective of reducing violence while advancing a political framework for Palestinian governance.
Pressure on Arab states and the Abraham Accords
Trump signaled a push to finalize the Abraham Accords “quickly and without games,” pressing Arab nations to recognize Israel as part of a broader peace agenda. He also indicated that Iran was ready for peace, a statement that aligned with his broader strategy of coaxing greater regional normalization through diplomatic channels rather than continued conflict. The summit participants, including several European allies, weighed how to accelerate stabilizing mechanisms such as an international stabilisation force and a Palestinian civil police arrangement, with discussions about UN backing and regional leadership by countries like Indonesia and Turkey.
Palestinian leadership and regional governance
Trump chaired a new peace board overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction and a future Palestinian technocratic government. He invited Egyptian President Sisi to join the board and floated the possibility of Tony Blair contributing as well. For the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas met Trump publicly for the first time in eight years, signaling a potential uptick in international engagement. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, framed Abbas’s attendance as a positive signal for recognizing the Palestinian Authority’s role in a two-state solution and governance reforms that could accompany a post-conflict Gaza.
Outlook: two states, regional security, and ongoing diplomacy
Macron underscored the importance of connecting Gaza and the West Bank and keeping a path toward a two-state solution as the enduring political horizon. He also indicated a willingness to escalate European support for Palestinian police training in Gaza while avoiding direct participation in a multinational stabilisation force. The overarching message from the talks was a commitment to a UN-backed international framework, with regional actors contributing to peace while respecting the sovereignty and security needs of Israel and a future Palestinian state.
What this means for the Middle East next
While the peace process remains complex and contested, Trump’s rhetoric signals a broader international willingness to shift from exclusive military confrontation to diplomatic engagement. If the envisioned reconstruction, governance reforms, and regional normalization move forward, the coming months could mark a defining chapter in the region’s quest for lasting peace and stability.
