Trump Hails 'Tremendous Day' as Leaders Sign Gaza Declaration, Though Peace Remains Fragile
US President Donald Trump hailed a tremendous day for the Middle East
as he and regional leaders signed a ceasefire agreement in Gaza on Monday, marking a crucial step towards peace in the region. However, the event was not without controversy, with critics pointing to the fragile state of the ceasefire and the uncertain future of peace in the region.
A Historic Moment in the Middle East
The signing of the Gaza ceasefire agreement took place during a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, and was followed by a significant prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. The agreement was brokered by Trump, alongside leaders from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, in a moment hailed as a new beginning for the region.
The summit was attended by 20 heads of state, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
In a statement, Trump said, Today is an incredible day for the Middle East, it has taken us 3000 years to reach here. The first steps are the most difficult, now for a lasting peace.
However, the US president also issued a stern warning to Hamas, insisting the militant group must disarm or face being disarmed, perhaps violently.
Controversy Surrounding the Agreement
Despite the momentous occasion, the ceasefire agreement has been met with mixed reactions. Critics, including the Tehran Times, described the summit as choreographed pageantry,
blurring the lines between diplomacy and theater. Others doubt the sustainability of the peace plan. A recent American intelligence assessment, reported by the Japan Times, warned that Tehran views the ceasefire as a “strategic timeout,” a chance to rearm its proxies while Washington celebrates diplomacy.
The Middle East Eye cautioned that Gaza remains a tragic humanitarian crisis, with Palestinians continuing to count their dead two years into Israel's conflict. The publication argues there can be no peace without accountability for the industrial-scale killing or justice for Palestinians.
Looking Towards the Future
Despite the skepticism, the agreement stands as a significant milestone in the long-standing conflict. Majed Al-Ansari, the closest advisor to the prime minister of Qatar, warned in an interview with La Repubblica that peace is at risk if personal interests win over the collective good.
The next step in the peace plan involves a reconstruction summit in Cairo in November. Trump, who received praise from unlikely corners, including the New York Times, for his role in brokering the ceasefire, stressed that lasting peace will take time. He said, Although phase 1 for peace in Gaza was difficult, it hasn't seen the most difficult yet.
The world watches with cautious optimism as leaders embark on the next phase of the peace plan. Whether this will lead to a sustainable resolution in the Middle East remains to be seen.