US President Donald Trump embarked on a pivotal trip to Israel and Egypt on Sunday, emphasizing the significance of a ceasefire and hostage release agreement that he claims has effectively ended the Gaza conflict. “This is going to be a very special time,” Trump stated to reporters before his departure from Joint Base Andrews. Air Force One took off near Washington amid light rain, accompanied by notable figures including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and CIA Chief John Ratcliffe.
When queried about his confidence in the end of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, Trump asserted, “The war is over. Okay? You understand that?” He highlighted the unique nature of the current moment, expressing, “This is a very special event… Everybody’s cheering at one time. That’s never happened before. Usually, if you have one cheering, the other isn’t… This is the first time everybody is amazed and they’re thrilled, and it’s an honor to be involved.” His remarks suggested an overwhelming sense of optimism regarding peace efforts in the region.
During the trip, Trump is expected to attend a joint ceremony in both Israel and Egypt celebrating the ceasefire and the release of hostages-a moment he characterized as historic for Middle Eastern peace initiatives. Furthermore, he will co-chair the Gaza peace summit alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
In a related development, Iran announced on Monday that neither President Masoud Pezeshkian nor Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi would attend the Gaza summit in Egypt, despite receiving a last-minute invitation from Cairo. Araghchi stated that Iranian leaders would refrain from engaging with those they see as aggressors against the Iranian people, referring specifically to the United States. He commented on past US-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites during the recent conflict and affirmed Iran’s support for initiatives aimed at ending violence in Gaza and ensuring Palestinian self-determination.
Iran, which has not recognized Israel since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has consistently supported the Palestinian cause. The Gaza peace summit, co-chaired by Trump and al-Sisi, aims to solidify the ceasefire and lay out a political framework for Gaza’s governance in the aftermath of war. Over twenty nations are anticipated to participate, although neither Israel nor Hamas will be in attendance.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/the-war-is-over-donald-trump-heads-for-middle-east-to-mark-gaza-ceasefire-calls-it-very-special-time/articleshow/124512460.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-10-13 03:05:00
