President Donald Trump marked a significant moment in Middle East diplomacy by celebrating a "new dawn" as the first phase of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which he helped broker, commenced.
This development followed a whirlwind 12-hour visit to the region, culminating in a memorandum signed in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, alongside mediators and representatives from over 20 countries.
The document, while hailed by Trump as "historic," was largely symbolic, lacking specific details on the next steps but emphasizing a shared commitment to peace, security, and prosperity grounded in mutual respect.
Despite the ceasefire's initiation, critical questions remain, particularly regarding the disarmament of Hamas, a cornerstone of Trump’s 20-point peace plan.
At a White House briefing, Trump asserted that Hamas would disarm, warning that if they failed to do so voluntarily, they would be forcibly disarmed by other means.
When pressed on the methods and timeline, Trump declined to provide specifics but emphasized the seriousness of his intent, suggesting the process would occur "quickly and perhaps violently" within a "reasonable period of time."
The president also addressed the future of Gaza, which has suffered extensive destruction over two years of conflict.
While acknowledging the United Nations' estimate that rebuilding could cost upwards of $70 billion, Trump refrained from outlining a detailed reconstruction plan.
He indicated that complex issues such as Palestinian statehood and governance of Gaza would be addressed later, mentioning the possibility of either a one-state or two-state solution and stating that he would decide on the best course in coordination with other nations.
Trump highlighted the involvement of wealthy and influential countries in ongoing discussions about Gaza's future, expressing confidence in their capacity to manage the situation.
However, neither Israel nor Hamas participated in the signing of the peace memorandum, underscoring the fragile nature of the ceasefire.
Emotional reunions occurred as 20 Israeli hostages were returned to their families and Palestinian prisoners were freed, marking a diplomatic achievement after months of negotiations.
Tensions persisted, however, as Israel accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire by not promptly returning the remains of four deceased hostages.
In response, Israeli authorities reduced the number of aid trucks allowed into Gaza.
When questioned about the durability of the Hamas agreement, Trump responded cautiously, stating, "We’ll find out." He also noted that Hamas had "misrepresented" the number of dead hostages, describing the issue as "very tough," and reiterated his desire for the return of all hostages and their remains.