WASHIGNTON: In the middle of a roundtable at the White House, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation. Cameras flashed, aides whispered, and President Donald Trump leaned slightly forward as Secretary of State Marco Rubio slipped a folded note into his hand.
Trump opened it discreetly — a few lines scribbled in haste: “Very close. We need you to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first.”
Rubio leaned in and murmured, “The Gaza peace plan — they’ve agreed. Israel and Hamas will sign within hours.”
Trump’s eyes narrowed, a familiar gleam of self-assurance flickering across his face. “Good,” he said, sliding the note into his jacket pocket. “Let’s make history… again.”
Hours later, as the world’s media scrambled to confirm the news, Trump was already drafting his post — determined to break it to the world before anyone else could.
Behind the diplomatic handshake in Gaza lay another story — one of timing, strategy, and a former president eager to reclaim the global stage.
Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas have reached an agreement to cease hostilities and exchange Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, marking the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s initiative to end the Gaza war.
Officials confirmed that both sides signed the deal following indirect negotiations in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh. The agreement includes a cessation of fighting, partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of all remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Humanitarian aid convoys carrying food and medical supplies are also expected to enter Gaza to assist hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians sheltering in tents amid widespread destruction.