Trump to Visit Israel and Egypt as Gaza Hostage Deal Advances Peace Efforts
US brokered Gaza ceasefire plan secures hostage release and marks a step towards Middle East peace
Washington, Oct 11: US President Donald Trump on Friday announced his upcoming visits to Israel and Egypt following the Israeli government’s approval of phase one of the Gaza peace plan, which includes the release of hostages and the return of approximately 28 bodies.
Describing the agreement as a “great deal” for the world, Trump said, “It is a great deal for Israel, but it’s a great deal for everybody, for Arabs, for Muslims, everybody, for the world. On Monday, the hostages come back. They’re in some pretty rough places underground… Some of those bodies are being unearthed right now as we speak.”
Trump confirmed he will address the Israeli Knesset during his visit, highlighting that the agreement represents a broader step towards peace in the Middle East. “Gaza is very important, but this is beyond Gaza. This is peace in the Middle East. It is a beautiful thing,” he said.
The Israeli government approved the ceasefire and hostage release under Trump’s 20 point Gaza Peace Plan. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened Israel’s security cabinet to discuss the decision and later confirmed the outline for the release of all hostages, both living and deceased. Phase one of the plan also anticipates Israel’s partial withdrawal from Gaza.
Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner attended the government meeting in Jerusalem where the agreement was finalized. Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al Hayya confirmed that the US guarantees indicate the war in Gaza “has ended completely” under the first phase of the ceasefire.
Trump hailed the deal as a historic breakthrough in Middle East diplomacy. “Last night, we reached a momentous breakthrough… We ended the war in Gaza, and I think it’s going to be a lasting peace, hopefully, an everlasting peace,” he said during a White House cabinet meeting.
Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana invited Trump to deliver a speech in the parliament, calling him “the greatest friend and ally of the Jewish people in modern history.” Netanyahu also thanked Trump for his mediation, stating Israel is “about to achieve the central aim” of the war, with the safe return of hostages as a key objective.
The ceasefire and hostage release agreement marks a significant step toward de-escalation in Gaza, with international attention now turning to Trump’s upcoming diplomatic visits aimed at consolidating peace efforts in the region.
