WASHINGTON (AP) – Since Donald Trump returned to the presidency, his attempts to go down as a historic peacemaker have been I’m getting irritated Due to Russia’s constant invasion of Ukraine and constant fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Now, Trump is about to make a remarkable breakthrough in one of those conflicts. he signed a contract It could end the bloodshed in the Middle East that began just two years ago with Hamas’ deadly attacks on Israel and claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Palestinians.
As the pieces continue to fall into place — and it’s not certain It would be a vindication moment for a president who has been derided by critics as a diplomatic failure more interested in personal prestige than international harmony in this combustible corner of the world.
President Trump celebrated his accomplishment Thursday in a meeting with his Cabinet, claiming it was “something people said would never happen” and that the deal could lead to “lasting peace.”
“Everything went well,” said Mr. Trump, who has long touted himself as a master of deals dating back to his days as a New York real estate mogul.
The president plans to make hasty plans for a weekend trip to the Middle East to seal the deal. He said he might attend some kind of signing ceremony in Egypt, where he is a central figure in negotiations, and speak to the Israeli parliament.
Dennis Ross, a former US special envoy to the Middle East, said there is reason to hope despite previous failures to end the war.
“It creates some momentum, and it’s completely different than anything we’ve seen before,” he said.
There is still unfinished business in Gaza.
It has been difficult to get there, but President Trump’s patience and focus will continue to be tested as he advances his fragile efforts to end the war. Israeli lawmakers still need to formally approve the plan. Then Hamas must do this. free the hostages Israel promised to hand them over, but they kidnapped them in the first attack. Palestinian prisoners. Further challenges remain regarding the provision of humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the establishment of a transitional government in Gaza.
Nor is there any guarantee that a ceasefire will be a turning point for a region more accustomed to short breaks between fighting than permanent coexistence.
“This is not a peace deal,” said Aaron David Miller, who served as an adviser on Middle East affairs in Democratic and Republican administrations for more than two decades. “The war is definitely not over.”
But he described the plan as an important achievement: “Something has happened here that breaks two years of conflict and offers another path forward.”
Coincidentally, the Nobel Peace Prize Scheduled to be announced on Friday. Trump has clearly campaigned for this honor, but he is not expected to win.
Only three sitting US presidents have won the Nobel Peace Prize, and the fourth, Jimmy Carter, was recognized for his post-presidential achievements, making Trump an unusual choice in some ways. he mocks multilateral institutionsboasted bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities and pushed the limits of presidential power. strike against suspected drug trafficking activities It is connected to Venezuela.
President Trump appears to be bracing for disappointment.
“Whatever they do is fine,” he told reporters. “I know this. I didn’t do it for the sake of it. It saved a lot of lives.”
Vice President J.D. Vance appealed to President Trump’s frustration during Thursday’s Cabinet meeting.
“For months, the fake news media has attacked you, attacked your entire team, attacked your approach,” he said. “The reason we’re here is because the president took a different course,” Vance said.
Trump had no foreign policy experience during his first term as president, and he became less willing to follow expert advice during his second term. His point of contact in the negotiations was Steve Witkoffbacked by friend and fellow real estate developer Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Trump’s trip to the Middle East builds on his visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates earlier this year, as well as his recent conversations at the United Nations General Assembly.
Another key moment came two weeks ago during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House. playing cards urged him to apologize Israeli airstrikes against Hamas leaders in Qatar, an ally of the United States in the region, who were hosting ceasefire talks.
President Trump then announced a plan to end the war in Gaza and gave Hamas a deadline for acceptance. Hamas agreed with conditions, but President Trump I pushed forward anyway.
Trump receives praise and skepticism after deal is reached
On Thursday afternoon, President Trump welcomed Finnish President Alexander Stubb to the Oval Office. complete the transaction With icebreakers essential for operations in the Arctic.
Stubb, one of President Trump’s favorite European interlocutors, lavished praise on the Gaza deal, saying, “This is diplomacy at its best.”
Foreign leaders widely acknowledged President Trump’s role and expressed relief at the possibility of an end to the war in Gaza, but became more cautious as they watched past efforts unravel.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a standard statement, saying: “We welcome the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, based on proposals proposed by President Donald Trump.”
French President Emmanuel Macron praised Trump’s commitment to the deal and urged “all parties to strictly adhere to the terms of the agreement.”
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan recently visited the white house“We are deeply grateful to U.S. President Donald Trump for showing the necessary political will to urge the Israeli government toward a ceasefire.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz only mentioned “the American president” and said: “This is really inconclusive.”
At Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, President Trump already said, “Settled seven wars or major conflicts.” Since taking office, the war in Gaza has become the “eighth”.
So what will happen to Russia and Ukraine?
“I think so too,” he insisted.
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Associated Press writer Laurie Kellman contributed to this report.
