President Donald Trump is embarking on a pivotal diplomatic journey to Israel and Egypt this week, aiming to cement a fragile US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The trip is framed by the White House as a critical opportunity to not only end the recent conflict but to fundamentally reshape the political landscape of the Middle East, capitalizing on what Trump sees as a narrow window for historic change.
The visit comes at a delicate moment. The first phase of the agreement, which includes the release of the final 48 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, is just beginning. Israeli forces have completed a partial withdrawal from Gaza’s cities, initiating a 72-hour countdown for the hostage release, which could dramatically unfold while Trump is in the region.
Trump’s agenda is ambitious. He will first address the Israeli Knesset, a significant honor, before traveling to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. There, he will co-host a summit with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and over 20 regional leaders. The discussions will focus on securing a durable peace in Gaza and addressing the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
However, the truce rests on shaky ground. Critical issues, such as the post-war governance of Gaza, the massive reconstruction effort, and Israel’s demand for Hamas’s complete disarmament, remain unresolved. Skeptics, including former national security adviser H.R. McMaster, doubt Hamas will willingly give up its arms, suggesting a future Israeli military operation may be inevitable.
Beyond the immediate crisis, Trump’s ultimate goal is to expand the Abraham Accords. The administration believes a lasting peace in Gaza could clear the path for landmark normalization agreements between Israel and key Muslim nations, including the powerhouse of Saudi Arabia. Such a deal would represent a historic realignment of regional alliances and a significant foreign policy achievement.