U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to visit Cairo and Jerusalem following the landmark ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which ended two years of devastating conflict in Gaza. The visit will coincide with a formal ceremony in Cairo celebrating the peace deal, where Trump is expected to meet several global leaders and address the Israeli Knesset. The agreement, brokered with the help of Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the U.S., aims to bring stability to the war-torn region and includes provisions for Hamas to release hostages in exchange for Israel freeing around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Trump expressed optimism that the ceasefire would hold, saying both sides were “tired of the fighting” and ready to rebuild Gaza.
As the truce came into effect, tens of thousands of Palestinians began returning to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip, many of which have been reduced to rubble. Israeli forces have started pulling back from several areas, although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that operations could resume if Hamas refuses to disarm. The United Nations has been granted approval to increase aid deliveries to Gaza beginning Sunday, with 170,000 metric tons of supplies waiting in Egypt and Jordan. UN officials said the humanitarian situation remains dire, with widespread malnutrition and infrastructure collapse after months of intense Israeli bombardment. The ceasefire also calls for the demilitarization of Gaza, but negotiations over its governance are still ongoing.
Under Trump’s 20-point peace plan, Israel will retain a military presence along Gaza’s border, while an international security force comprising Arab and Muslim nations will help maintain order inside the territory. A large-scale U.S.-led reconstruction program is expected to follow, focusing on rebuilding homes, hospitals, and essential services. The plan envisions a future role for the Palestinian Authority, though deep reforms are required before it can govern effectively. While the truce has brought a sense of relief to civilians after unprecedented loss — with over 67,000 Palestinians killed — questions remain about whether this peace will endure or merely pause a long and painful conflict.
