Defying the odds and expectations of many, President Donald Trump went to the Middle East and announced what many thought impossible — a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and, hopefully, a path to peace in the Middle East.
As a part of getting both sides to agree to a ceasefire, they each had to give up the hostages and prisoners that had given them leverage in negotiations up until now. With Trump ostensibly leading the way, leaders of other countries in the region exerted their influence, too. We don’t know what comes next, but watching weeping families reunite and cheering crowds in the streets gave both sides hope that maybe, hopefully, the worst is over.
As a part of announcing the ceasefire, the president also spoke at a Gaza summit, where he heaped praise on European and Arab leaders, even the ones he has battled in the past.
He called French President Emmanuel Macron “my friend” and warmly shook the hand of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “Is everything all good? It’s very nice that you’re here,” Trump said.
He told Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni that she was beautiful and called Turkish president Recep Erdogan a “tough person” who is always there when he needs him. “He never lets me down.”