President Trump declared “the war is over,” aboard Air Force One as he headed to Israel on Sunday night — predicting that the cease-fire deal he hammered through could end the centuries-long Middle East conflict.
Trump also said the deal “could be the biggest thing I was ever involved in” — before he touched down at Ben Gurion Airport.
“The war is over,” he told reporters.
“I think people are going to behave. Everybody knows their place. It’s going to be great for everybody,” he said.
“I think people are tired of it,” he added. “It’s been centuries, OK, not just recent. It’s been centuries. I think people are tired of it. Yeah, the ceasefire is going to hold.”
Air Force One touched down just after the first seven living hostages were freed by Hamas and returned to Israel.
He was greeted on the tarmac by his daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, along with Middle East peace negotiator Steve Witkoff and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Crowds from New York to Tel Aviv to Gaza have chanted Trump’s name and praised him for the cease-fire deal, which he said will end the two-year war between Israel and Hamas.
Trump told Axios that he thought the cease-fire deal could be the “biggest thing” he had ever done.
When asked about his message for Israel, he said, “Love and peace for eternity.”
The first stage of Trump’s 20-point plan was a cease-fire and the withdraw of Israeli troops from much of Gaza.
The second stage is the release of hostages, happening Monday morning.
All 20 living hostages were due to be freed by Hamas.
The bodies of 28 who were killed following the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks are to be returned in stages over the next 10 days.
Trump’s plan also requires Hamas to disarm and step down from power.
A technocratic body would take over the governance of Gaza.
