In a whirlwind diplomatic tour, former U.S. President Donald Trump heralded a ‘historic day’ as a ceasefire agreement in Gaza came into effect, marking a pivotal moment after two years of devastating conflict. Trump, speaking to the BBC’s Tom Bateman aboard Air Force One, described the deal as a turning point in the millennia-long strife of the region, asserting that ‘everlasting peace’ had been achieved under his leadership. The agreement, brokered in Doha, saw the cessation of major combat operations, the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Trump’s visit to Israel was marked by grand gestures, including a fly-by of a beach displaying a giant ‘thank you’ sign and a red-carpet welcome from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, the fragility of the truce and the challenges of rebuilding Gaza loom large, with Trump’s optimism met by skepticism about the sustainability of the peace. The U.S. president’s speech in the Knesset, where he was hailed as the ‘president of peace,’ was a mix of celebration and political rhetoric, as he attacked his domestic opponents and appealed for Netanyahu’s pardon. The day concluded in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where Trump presided over a signing ceremony, declaring it had taken ‘3,000 years’ to reach this point, yet acknowledging the long road ahead for lasting peace in the Middle East.