Trump says Gaza war is over and we have temporarily allowed Hamas to carry out security duties
Al-Khamisa News Network - Gaza
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the war in Gaza is over, saying the ceasefire “will hold” and that a new phase will begin in the Gaza Strip.
Trump made the remarks at a press conference on board his plane en route to Israel, where he will take part in a regional summit and deliver a speech to the Knesset.
Asked why he received such a warm welcome in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was met with jeers, Trump said: “I don’t know, but everyone is happy about this agreement.” He said his relationship with Netanyahu is good despite past disagreements over Gaza, adding: “I had disagreements with him, but they were resolved quickly.”
When told that Netanyahu had not officially declared the war over, Trump replied firmly: “The war in Gaza is over! Do you understand? It’s over.” He added: “The ceasefire will hold, because everyone is tired of the war.”
Trump praised Qatar’s mediation, saying: “They helped us a lot in this agreement. It’s time to give Qatar credit.” He also spoke about next-day arrangements in the Strip, saying: “Reconstruction will take time, but in the end it will look very good. We will quickly set up a new government in Gaza, and Hamas is keen to join a Gaza peace council.”
He indicated he admired Tony Blair as a possible choice to lead that council, but stressed that the figure must be acceptable to all parties, saying he had received “strong guarantees” for implementing the agreement.
On the future security situation in Gaza, Trump said: “We have given Hamas permission to operate temporarily in Gaza. We want them to ensure security and prevent crime, and I think things will be fine.”
He also said he was willing to visit Gaza in the future: “I’d like to do that… a miracle will happen there over the next few decades.”
Trump is scheduled to arrive in Israel this morning coinciding with the release of Hamas hostages, and to meet Netanyahu and the hostages’ families, before heading to Sharm el-Sheikh to take part in a regional summit and sign the agreement.
