Trump heads to Middle East to mark Gaza ceasefire deal

(NewsNation) — President Donald Trump is setting off for Israel on Sunday to celebrate the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas and urge Middle East allies to seize the opportunity to build a durable peace in the volatile region.

The trip comes at a fragile moment as both sides begin implementing the first phase of the Trump agreement, designed to bring a permanent end to the war sparked by the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas-led militants.

Trump thinks there is a narrow window to reshape the Mideast and reset relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Progress Trump credits to his administration's strong backing of Israel's decimation of Iranian proxies, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

According to the White House, momentum is also building as Arab and Muslim states renew efforts to resolve the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict and, in some cases, strengthen ties with the United States.

“I think you are going to have tremendous success and Gaza is going to be rebuilt,” Trump said Friday. “And you have some very wealthy countries, as you know, over there. It would take a small fraction of their wealth to do that. And I think they want to do it.”

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement calls for the release of the final 48 hostages held by Hamas, including about 20 believed to be alive; the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel; a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza; and a partial pullback by Israeli forces from Gaza’s main cities.

Trump is scheduled to meet with hostage families. He will also address Israel's parliament, the Knesset, an honor last extended to President George W. Bush during a visit in 2008.

Leaders heading to Egypt

Trump will then travel to Egypt, where he and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi will co-chair a “peace summit” in Sharm el-Sheikh alongside leaders from more than 20 countries to discuss peace in Gaza and the broader Middle East.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to Egypt to take part in the signing ceremony on the truce agreement for Gaza, according to his spokesperson.

“Germany will be committed to implementing the peace plan, initially focusing on maintaining a stable ceasefire and providing humanitarian aid,” Stefan Cornelius said in a written statement Sunday, adding that the “chancellor’s trip tomorrow underscores this commitment.”

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis will also be attending the summit in Egypt, as will Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, officials said Sunday.

European Council President António Costa will take part in the ceremony behalf of the 27-nation bloc.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.