Trump claims Israel’s goals met, pushes for peace framework involving Iran and Arab world

The US president Donald Trump, who vouched for the end of Israeli aggressions in Gaza that had killed more than 75,000 people, lauded Israel as having achieved what was intended through its arms and weapons, and vowed to ensure an everlasting peace in the Middle East through cooperation that could eventually extend to Iran, while assuring Arab leaders that he would neither allow Israel to reopen conflict with Hamas nor permit Hamas to re-establish itself in Gaza.

Addressing the Israeli Knesset hours after the last remaining hostages were released from Gaza, Trump declared that Israel’s military campaign had reached its logical end and called for the transformation of battlefield victories into regional peace and prosperity.

He described the moment as the beginning of a new era in the Middle East, marking the end of a prolonged period of war and terrorism, and positioned himself as the guarantor of both Israel’s security and Arab stability. His speech was followed by a visit to Egypt, where he attended a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh alongside more than twenty world leaders, focusing on Gaza’s reconstruction and a limited form of Palestinian self-rule.

The summit, co-hosted by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, witnessed the signing of a comprehensive peace framework by the United States, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt, setting out their shared responsibility in maintaining stability and ensuring an eventual path to Palestinian governance.

Trump confirmed that the reconstruction of Gaza, devastated by months of bombardment, had already begun, and urged wealthy Arab nations to contribute financially to the recovery effort, which is estimated to cost more than $30 billion. The plan’s next phase, he said, would focus on clearing debris, demobilising militant groups, and restoring civic order, with assurances that Hamas would be disarmed and Gaza stabilised under international supervision.

European diplomats, however, expressed caution, warning that the rapid ceasefire required immediate implementation of stabilisation mechanisms and deployment of both international and Palestinian forces to prevent Hamas from regaining control.

France, the United States, and the United Kingdom offered to act as backstops for the multinational peace force, though consensus suggested that participation from Muslim-majority countries such as Indonesia and Turkey was essential for credibility.

France also pushed for a United Nations mandate similar to the one governing the UN force in Lebanon, emphasising the need for legitimacy and coordination under international oversight.

A separate Palestinian police force, trained in Egypt and Jordan, was also preparing to enter Gaza under the supervision of the Palestinian National Authority, but diplomats cautioned that any delay could allow Hamas to reassert influence. Neither Hamas representatives nor Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the summit, which concentrated on post-war governance and reconstruction mechanisms.

Trump also announced his intention to personally oversee Gaza’s rebuilding by chairing a board of peace responsible for supervising the reconstruction programme and guiding a Palestinian technocratic administration. He proposed that Sisi join the board and hinted at exploring regional support, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

French President Emmanuel Macron, attending the summit, highlighted the importance of reviving the two-state solution and ensuring that developments in Gaza were linked to the situation in the West Bank, where Israeli settlements continue to expand.

He stressed the need for democratic reforms within the Palestinian Authority and confirmed that France would co-host a humanitarian conference on Gaza with Egypt in the coming weeks, aimed at reinforcing international cooperation and advancing lasting peace across the region.