U.S. President Donald Trump will be awarded Israel’s highest civilian honor, the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour, for his role in brokering the Gaza ceasefire and securing the release of hostages. The announcement comes as Trump visits Israel and Egypt amid renewed Middle East peace efforts.
U.S. President Donald Trump declared the Gaza war “over” as he departed for the Middle East to oversee the historic hostage release and Gaza peace summit. His trip to Israel and Egypt marks the start of a new chapter in the Israel–Hamas conflict, though uncertainties over the ceasefire’s durability remain.
In a dramatic moment at the White House, Secretary of State Marco Rubio passed an urgent handwritten note to President Donald Trump during a roundtable, signaling a breakthrough in Gaza ceasefire talks. Hours later, Trump announced a landmark Israel–Hamas peace deal on Truth Social.
Israel and Hamas delegations meet in Egypt for indirect negotiations under Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan as both sides weigh conditions for a ceasefire, prisoner exchange, and Gaza’s future governance.
Aimed at halting the devastating conflict in Gaza, Hamas Agrees to Release 10 Hostages Amid US Ceasefire Proposal, Seeks Amendments on Gaza Withdrawal and Aid. Hamas has officially responded to the US ceasefire proposal. The Palestinian group agreed to release 10 living hostages and 18 bodies in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. This move aligns with the plan presented by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who proposed a 60-day ceasefire aimed at easing tensions and opening humanitarian corridors in Gaza.