Washington [US], October 13 (ANI): US President Donald Trump expressed strong confidence that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will hold, declaring that “the war is over” and describing the ongoing peace process as a historic turning point in the Middle East.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while en route to Israel, Trump said, “The war is over… I think the ceasefire is going to hold. There are a lot of reasons why it’s going to hold. People are tired of war. It’s been centuries… I think people are tired of it.”
The President, who will arrive in Tel Aviv early Monday morning local time, called his visit “a very special time,” emphasizing the rare sense of excitement and unity surrounding the peace deal. “Everybody’s very excited about this moment in time,” he said. “This is the first time everybody is amazed and thrilled, and it’s an honour to be involved.”
Trump’s visit marks his first trip to Israel since announcing the Gaza ceasefire agreement. His itinerary includes a private meeting with families of hostages at the Knesset and a public address to Israeli lawmakers. He will then travel to Egypt for a peace ceremony in the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, where the official signing of the ceasefire deal is expected to take place.
The trip coincides with the implementation of the first phase of the Gaza Peace Plan, which includes the disarmament of Hamas and the arrival of 200 US troops to establish a coordination centre. The President is expected to spend less than seven hours in Israel and about three hours in Egypt before returning to Washington early Tuesday.
During his exchange with reporters, Trump claimed that the Gaza ceasefire marked the eighth conflict he has successfully helped resolve, highlighting what he described as a record of peacemaking during his administration.
“This will be my eighth war that I have solved,” Trump said. “And I hear there is a war now going on between Pakistan and Afghanistan. I said, I’ll have to wait till I get back. I am doing another one. Because I am good at solving wars.”
He reflected on his previous diplomatic achievements, citing efforts in regions like India and Pakistan, and other long-standing conflicts. “Think about India, Pakistan. Think about some of the wars that were going on for years — 31, 32, 37 years — with millions of people being killed in every country. I got every one of those done, for the most part, within a day. It’s pretty good,” Trump remarked.
Trump said it was an honour to have played a role in saving lives through peace initiatives, clarifying that his motivation was not recognition or awards. “It’s an honour to do it. I saved millions of lives. I didn’t do this for the Nobel. I did this for saving lives,” he said.
His remarks came amid renewed discussion surrounding the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado for promoting democracy and human rights. Trump revealed that Machado had personally called him to dedicate the award in his honour.
“The person who got the Nobel Prize called me today and said, ‘I am accepting this in honour of you because you really deserved it,’” Trump said. “I’ve been helping her along the way. They needed a lot of help in Venezuela during the disaster. I’m happy because I saved millions of lives.”
Trump also alluded to his previous mediation efforts involving Russia and Ukraine, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Kosovo and Serbia, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Rwanda and the Congo. “I stopped seven wars,” he said. “That’s one war, and that’s a big one.”
Amid his comments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed public support for Trump’s peace efforts. In a post on X, Netanyahu wrote, “Give @realDonaldTrump the Nobel Peace Prize — he deserves it!”
Trump’s tightly scheduled Middle East trip underscores Washington’s renewed push for regional stability. The President described the upcoming ceremonies in Israel and Egypt as “something that’s never happened before,” adding, “We’re going to have an amazing time, and it’s going to be a very special moment for peace.” (ANI)
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