SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt—In a moment of high geopolitical theater, President Donald J. Trump yesterday declared a new dawn for the Middle East, proclaiming, “Now the rebuilding begins,” after signing a landmark declaration to cement the ceasefire and peace plan for the Gaza Strip. The signing ceremony, which took place at a high-level summit in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, follows the successful first phase of the US-brokered agreement: the complete release of all remaining living Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Flanked by the leaders of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey—nations that served as guarantors and key mediators—President Trump hailed the moment as the culmination of “unthinkable” diplomatic efforts, asserting that a “long and difficult war has now ended.”
“This long nightmare is over,” the President stated to a gathering of more than two dozen world leaders. “We have achieved what everybody said was impossible. Now the rebuilding begins. The rebuilding is maybe going to be the easiest part.”
Hostage Release Heralds Phase One Completion
The summit and signing came just hours after the final living hostages captured two years ago were returned to Israel, exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. This critical exchange marked the successful completion of the initial phase of the “Trump 20-Point Plan,” which mandates an immediate, comprehensive cessation of hostilities and humanitarian actions.
While the immediate relief across the region is palpable—with celebrations reported in both Israeli and Palestinian communities—the real test for the Trump administration’s foreign policy achievement begins now. The signed declaration outlines a massive, internationally-funded reconstruction effort for the devastated Gaza Strip, a project the former real estate mogul suggested would be simple compared to the diplomacy itself.
The Path Ahead: Governance and Demilitarization
The true complexity lies in the thornier, yet-to-be-finalized phases of the deal: demilitarization, security, and governance.
The Trump plan envisions:
- Demilitarization: The destruction of Hamas’s military infrastructure and the transformation of Gaza into a “terror-free zone.” However, a Hamas official has already publicly stated that the demand for disarmament is “out of the question and not negotiable,” signaling significant hurdles ahead for the plan’s second phase.
- Security: The deployment of an international stabilization force, comprised of personnel from the US, Arab, and European nations, to oversee security and train a new Palestinian police force.
- Governance and Reconstruction: The establishment of a transitional administration led by Palestinian technocrats, overseen by an international body. The U.S. has indicated it will lead the mammoth reconstruction effort, pledging to secure commitments from wealthy nations.
Crucially, the next phases also involve a conditional pathway toward the recognition of a Palestinian state, contingent upon successful reconstruction and reform of the Palestinian Authority. While President Trump has championed the plan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly secured concessions on troop withdrawal timelines and publicly ruled out a future Palestinian state under the current framework, underscoring the delicate balance of the agreement.
Global Applause—and Apprehension
International reaction has been largely supportive, with leaders from the UK, Canada, India, and across the Arab world welcoming the end of the conflict and praising President Trump’s “bold vision.” Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, co-host of the summit, called the proposal the region’s “last chance” for peace.
Yet, critics and regional analysts remain cautious. They point out that a final, lasting peace remains elusive without clear, guaranteed Palestinian participation and a concrete timeline for self-determination. The history of broken ceasefires hangs heavy over the proceedings.
For now, the focus shifts from the battlefield to the rubble. As the world watches to see if President Trump can sustain the pressure needed to realize his full 20-point vision, his declaration rings with the audacious promise of a new era. The war, by his account, is over. The challenge of building a viable peace, however, is just beginning.