On cam: Trump makes huge claim right before leaving for Israel, Egypt trip| Gaza deal| Hamas| Arab

President Trump declared "the war is over" in Gaza as he traveled to Israel, expressing confidence that the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas would hold and that the entire Middle East is set to "normalize." Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Jerusalem, Trump predicted Gaza’s reconstruction would start immediately, with hostages expected to be released and thousands of Palestinians returning to Gaza City in hope. Trump praised cooperation from regional leaders and outlined a vision for a swift international stabilization effort in Gaza, while also acknowledging remaining challenges such as governance and humanitarian aid. His peace plan, already credited with ending two years of bloody conflict, faces major next steps including monitoring the disarmament process, release of prisoners, and sustained global support for rebuilding efforts.