Trump says ‘war is over’ in Gaza as he flies to Israel for release of hostages

US President Donald Trump has stated “the battle is over” as he travels to Israel for the discharge of hostages from Gaza underneath the ceasefire deal agreed between Israel and Hamas.

Talking on board Air Power One, he stated the ceasefire would maintain and a “Board of Peace” would shortly be arrange for Gaza, which he stated regarded like a “demolition web site”.

He additionally praised the roles of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatar, one of many mediators.

The deadline for Hamas to launch all of the hostages it’s nonetheless holding in Gaza is noon native time (10:00 BST). Afterward Monday, Trump will journey to Egypt for a global summit aiming to finish the battle.

The battle was triggered by the Hamas-led assaults on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, through which about 1,200 individuals had been killed and 251 taken hostage.

Since then, greater than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel’s army response, together with greater than 18,000 kids, the Hamas-run well being ministry says.

The ceasefire in Gaza took impact on Friday morning after Israel and Hamas agreed to the primary section of the 20-point peace plan brokered by Trump, with the following phases nonetheless to be negotiated.

Twenty of the Israeli hostages are believed to be alive, and Hamas can also be because of hand over the stays of as much as 28 deceased hostages.

Israel also needs to launch round 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees from Gaza, whereas elevated quantities of assist ought to enter the Strip. An Israeli authorities spokesperson stated they’d be launched as soon as the dwelling hostages attain Israeli territory.

When requested by the BBC whether or not he believed the ceasefire would maintain, Trump stated it might, including “all people is comfortable, and I feel it is going to keep that means”.

On his peace abilities, he stated: “I am good at fixing wars. I am good at making peace.”

Requested if he would ever go to Gaza, Trump stated he would. “I might wish to put my toes on it, at the least.” Trump stated he thought Gaza could be a “miracle” over the approaching a long time.

He added that the area would quickly “normalise,” with a deliberate supervisory physique – the Board of Peace – to be established “in a short time” to supervise Gaza.

On Saturday lots of of 1000’s of Israelis attended a rally in Tel Aviv and chanted their gratitude to the US chief.

Many particulars for the later phases of the peace plan might be onerous to succeed in settlement on – such because the governance of Gaza, the extent of Israeli troop withdrawal, and the disarming of Hamas.

Trump will land in Israel on Monday, the place he’ll deal with the nation’s parliament the Knesset.

He’ll then journey to guide a summit in Sharm El-Sheikh alongside Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Egypt’s overseas ministry stated a “doc ending the battle within the Gaza Strip” was anticipated to be signed.

Leaders from greater than 20 international locations are anticipated to attend, together with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Iran’s Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Egypt had invited Iran to the summit, however “neither President [Masoud] Pezeshkian nor I can have interaction with counterparts who’ve attacked the Iranian individuals and proceed to threaten and sanction us”.

In a publish on X he added: “Iran welcomes any initiative that ends Israel’s genocide in Gaza and ensures the expulsion of occupation forces.”

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that when the hostages had been returned, the army would destroy underground tunnels in Gaza constructed by Hamas.

Help vans started getting into Gaza on Sunday and lots of extra had been queuing on the border.

Palestinians crowded across the convoys arriving in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.

Talking to the BBC earlier on Sunday, Unicef’s James Elder stated dozens of vans had entered the Strip however that this fell wanting what was wanted.

The UN estimates that at the least 600 assist vans are wanted day by day to start out addressing Gaza’s humanitarian disaster.

In August, the Built-in Meals Safety Section Classification (IPC) declared a famine in components of the territory, together with Gaza Metropolis.

Israel, nevertheless, rejects the IPC report, and its overseas ministry says the conclusions are “primarily based on Hamas lies”. Israeli army assist physique Cogat says the report ignores the “intensive humanitarian efforts undertaken in Gaza”.

Palestinians returning to northern Gaza have described scenes of devastation, with lots of them discovering their houses diminished to rubble. Rescue employees have warned there might be unexploded ordnance and bombs within the space.

Amjad Al Shawa, who heads a Palestinian organisation coordinating with assist teams, estimated 300,000 tents had been wanted to briefly home 1.5 million displaced Gazans.

Hamas has recalled about 7,000 members of its safety forces to reassert management over areas of Gaza not too long ago vacated by Israeli troops, in keeping with native sources.

At the least 27 individuals have been killed in fierce clashes between Hamas safety forces and armed members of the Dughmush household in Gaza Metropolis, in one of the vital violent inner confrontations because the finish of main Israeli operations within the enclave.