President Donald Trump signed a historic peace agreement ending two years of conflict in Gaza, brokered with Hamas and Israel through U.S. mediation. During a press conference aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked about the two-state solution, but he refused to commit, stating, ‘We’ll have to see.’ Trump emphasized his focus on rebuilding Gaza after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and expressed support for a new era of peace in the Middle East.
The agreement was announced after a whirlwind trip that included a global peace summit in Egypt and a speech before the Knesset in Jerusalem, where Trump celebrated the ceasefire. Trump, along with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, signed a document outlining a broad vision for Gaza’s future. Twenty hostages were released as part of the deal, and U.S. troops will monitor the ceasefire, while Israel agreed to reopen five border crossings to ease the flow of food and supplies into Gaza.
However, the implementation of the ceasefire remains fragile, with Israel and Hamas still in the early stages of implementing the first phase of Trump’s peace plan. The sides have not agreed on Gaza’s postwar governance, its reconstruction, or Israel’s demand that Hamas disarm. Negotiations over these issues could break down, and Israel has hinted it may resume military operations if its demands are not met. Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble, and its 2 million residents continue to struggle in dire conditions.
Leaders from dozens of countries, including Europe and the Middle East, attended the peace summit. Trump’s comments on the two-state solution sparked debate, as he stated, ‘A lot of people like the one-state solution, some people like the two-state solution. We’ll have to see.’ Despite the progress, the agreement represents a complex and delicate process that will require sustained international cooperation and commitment to ensure long-term stability in the region.