SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, 14 October (H.S.): US President Donald Trump on Monday signed a Gaza peace declaration with the leaders of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey at a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, launching a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and opening a phased plan to rebuild the enclave. Calling it “a new and beautiful day,” Trump said reconstruction would begin immediately as mediators move into a second round of negotiations.
Earlier, addressing Israel’s Knesset, Trump told cheering lawmakers that “the long and painful nightmare is finally over,” drawing chants of his name. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Trump as “the greatest friend” Israel has had in the White House and thanked him for “unremitting help” in securing the return of remaining hostages seized in the 7 October 2023 attacks.
Under the first phase, Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners and more than 1,700 Palestinians detained during two years of military operations in Gaza in exchange for the last 20 living Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The exchange will also include the return of the bodies of 28 Israeli captives, according to the plan.
At the ceremony, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi awarded Trump the Order of the Nile, Egypt’s highest honor, as over 20 world leaders looked on, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Senior US officials in attendance included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner, accompanied by Ivanka Trump, were applauded for their roles in brokering the truce.Trump said a “board of peace” he will chair would be set up swiftly to administer Gaza during the transition, while the potential role of the Palestinian Authority remains under discussion.
He described the ceasefire as the toughest breakthrough of his presidency and signaled that ending the Russia–Ukraine war would be his next diplomatic priority.Some Israeli lawmakers boycotted the Knesset session or briefly protested, including a member who held up a sign reading “Recognise Palestine.”
The ceasefire, part of a 20‑point plan, has taken effect, but subsequent phases are still to be negotiated.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
