WASHINGTON — President Trump hailed the anticipated return of 20 Israeli hostages on Thursday after playing a pivotal role in negotiating a significant cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
“First and foremost, we are focused on bringing our hostages home. That is what everyone has wanted above all else,” Trump declared during a Cabinet meeting — while outlining plans for a trip to Egypt on Sunday for a signing ceremony, which will be followed by a speech to the Israeli Knesset on what he described as a “day of great celebration.”
“From there, we’ll see how things progress. They’ve made several commitments and I believe everything will unfold smoothly,” Trump remarked about the noteworthy diplomatic achievement.
The president’s senior aides took turns praising him, attributing the cessation of violence — which began with Hamas’s surprise assault on Israel on October 7, 2023 — to his efforts.
“Very soon, we will see 20 living hostages stepping out of the shadows into the light for the first time in two years,” stated Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizing that many of Trump’s diplomatic maneuvers might remain undisclosed.
“Our nation should take pride in having a leader who is dedicated not only to peace but also to reuniting these families on a human level,” Rubio shared with Trump.
Vice President JD Vance highlighted the contributions of Trump’s close associate and special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, remarking that the team overcame considerable media doubt to forge the initial agreement in Egypt.
When a reporter inquired about the specifics of phase two, Trump replied, “I’m not going to disclose that now because you have an idea of what phase two involves. However, disarming, troop withdrawals, and many developments will occur.”
Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which Hamas provisionally accepted on October 3, proposes a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza’s urban areas and encourages “Arab and international partners to establish a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) to be deployed in Gaza immediately.”
The president noted that the specifics of the international presence would be “decided later.”
“I shared a comprehensive list of 22 actions that will occur, and I genuinely believe they will be realized. I’m optimistic for peace in the Middle East,” Trump stated regarding the second phase.
The president reiterated that the priority remains “securing the release of hostages, but everything else will also unfold as planned.”
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The agreement specifies that “no one will be compelled to leave Gaza, and those who wish to depart will have the freedom to do so and will be allowed to return.”
“No one will be forced to leave,” Trump reiterated at a later event with Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
Earlier in the year, Trump had proposed relocating residents of Gaza for the creation of a US-managed “Riviera of the Middle East,” but the peace framework now suggests a “special economic zone” in Gaza under the oversight of a Trump-chaired Board of Peace.
The president emphasized that Gaza’s future will be supported by affluent Arab nations ready to invest in a comprehensive economic development initiative for the approximately 2 million residents.
“We will collaborate with incredibly wealthy nations that value people, frankly. I know them very well; they care for the people, especially Arab and Muslim communities, and I believe they care for everyone right now,” Trump commented during the cabinet meeting.
“These countries are extremely wealthy, and their investment will significantly contribute. For them, it’s a nominal amount, but for others, it represents substantial investment, given that they are among the richest nations globally.”
Trump remarked that his June 21 airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear ambitions were crucial, as they prevented the Hamas-aligned Tehran from casting a “shadow over peace discussions.
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“Iran has indicated they wish to pursue peace, and they are supportive of this deal,” Trump noted. “We have implemented significant sanctions against Iran and other measures, and we also envision them strengthening their nation as well.”
On the eve of the Nobel Peace Prize announcement, Trump promoted the Gaza agenda, stating, “I can’t predict what the committee will decide, honestly. Whatever they choose is acceptable. One thing I do know is that I didn’t pursue this for recognition; I did it to preserve numerous lives.”
