By Manisha Sahu, America News World
October 9, 2025
Washington, D.C. — U.S. President Donald Trump signaled strong involvement in the ongoing Gaza negotiations on Wednesday, saying he may travel to the the Middle East by this weekend if a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas materializes. His remarks came amid accelerating international efforts to finalize a peace framework in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh.
“I may go there sometime toward the end of the week, maybe on Sunday,” Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that “negotiations are going along very well.”
The prospect of his trip underscores Washington’s ambition to play a visible role in brokering and overseeing the ceasefire agreement — a deal that has eluded mediators for more than two years.
Breakthrough in Sharm el-Sheikh
In recent days, diplomatic momentum has built rapidly. Delegations from Israel and Hamas have convened in Sharm el-Sheikh under the mediation of Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United States. The discussions center on Trump’s 20-point peace proposal, which includes an immediate ceasefire, a full exchange of hostages and prisoners, a phased Israeli troop withdrawal, and an international security mechanism to oversee post-war Gaza.
On Wednesday, both sides reportedly approved the first phase of the deal. Trump took to his Truth Social platform to declare: “Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan … ALL the hostages will be released very soon, and Israel withdraw their troops to an agreed upon line.”
Under the phase-one terms:
Hamas would free 48 Israeli captives (including about 20 believed still living).
Israel would begin moving its forces back to a negotiated boundary within Gaza.
Palestinian prisoners held by Israel would also be released in exchange.
Aid deliveries to Gaza would resume under international supervision.
Still, several core issues remain unresolved, notably Hamas’s disarmament, the final timeline for Israeli withdrawal, and the post-war governance structure in Gaza.
Trump’s Role and the Invitation from Egypt
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has formally invited Trump to attend the ceasefire signing — positioning the U.S. as co-witness to the momentous agreement should it finalize.
Earlier this week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio also reiterated that he might head to the Middle East, stating that the pace of progress in Gaza may require his direct presence. Trump’s open flirtation with travel underscores Washington’s desire to be seen as a central architect of the peace process — and potentially to supervise its implementation.
Trump’s heightened visibility comes as he pushes to cast this diplomacy as a landmark achievement for his administration. With the Nobel Peace Prize nomination season approaching and global attention focused on Gaza, success in brokering a durable ceasefire would represent a major foreign policy win.
Risks, Skepticism, and Continued Hostilities
Though optimism is high, many analysts caution that even a “first phase” carries risks. Trusted guarantees will be necessary to prevent a relapse into violence. Hamas insists on binding international guarantees that Israel will not resume military operations after the exchange.
Moreover, Israeli political factions remain wary of releasing high-profile Palestinian prisoners or retreating from strategic positions.
Importantly, ceasefire declarations have failed repeatedly in the past, raising doubts among observers. Many warn that without robust enforcement mechanisms and international oversight, the agreement could collapse.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes persist even during the talks. The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate: hospitals are overwhelmed, infrastructure remains crippled, and civilians suffer from shortages of food, clean water, electricity, and medical care.
What to Watch in the Coming Days
1. Trump’s travel decision — If the deal holds, Trump may arrive in Egypt (or Gaza) sometime Sunday or early next week.
2. Hostage-prisoner exchange timeline — When and how the first release phase will begin is a key test of trust.
3. Security guarantees — The details of international oversight and binding guarantees will determine whether the ceasefire can endure.
4. Post-war governance plans — What political structure will replace Hamas rule, and who will govern Gaza?
5. Reactions from regional and global actors — Arab states, the European Union, Israel, and Palestinian Authority will all influence implementation, and may generate pressure or contest terms.
If executed carefully and honored by all parties, the emerging agreement could mark a turning point in the long, tragic conflict in Gaza. Trump’s possible visit would serve as both symbolic backing and a real-time test of U.S. influence over one of the world’s most intractable disputes.