Trump on Gaza ceasefire and Erdoğan: “Turkey was incredible, Erdoğan is a strong and extraordinary leader”

During a joint press conference with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Trump announced that the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire process had already begun.

“As far as we’re concerned, it’s underway,” Trump said, emphasizing that Gaza’s reconstruction was now a top priority. “Look at Gaza — there’s so much to clean up. The first step is removing the debris because it’s almost entirely destroyed,” he added.

Trump called the rebuilding process “the beginning of a new era” and noted that cooperation between nations was essential to maintaining peace. “This isn’t just the end of a war — it’s the start of something new,” he said.

Trump: “Erdoğan is very strong, Turkey played a central role”

Trump highlighted his long-standing and positive relationship with President Erdoğan, saying, “We’ve had a great relationship from the beginning. He’s a very strong man. Turkey played an extraordinary role in this process.”

He also credited Ankara’s diplomatic efforts for helping to secure the deal: “Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and the United States worked together toward one goal — peace. And in the end, we made it happen.”

“A historic turning point”

At the summit, Trump described the gathering of leaders as “architects of peace,” emphasizing the magnitude of the achievement.

“Some of the world’s most powerful and wealthy countries are here today. Every leader we invited came — that shows the respect for this process,” Trump said.

Calling the agreement “a historic turning point,” he added, “We accomplished what everyone said was impossible. No one will talk about war in the Middle East anymore.”

Sisi: “Two-state solution is the key to peace”

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi reaffirmed his support for a two-state solution during his address at the summit.

“Palestinians have the right to self-determination — to live in an independent state alongside Israel, in peace and security,” he said.

Sisi described the Gaza agreement as “the beginning of a new era of peace and stability in the Middle East,” and announced that Egypt would soon host an international Gaza reconstruction conference.

Hostages and prisoners released under ceasefire deal

Under the U.S., Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey–brokered ceasefire agreement, Hamas released the final 20 living hostages in Gaza, while Israel freed 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees.The freed hostages are now receiving medical treatment in Israeli hospitals, and the Red Cross confirmed that the remains of four deceased hostages were also returned to Israel. Emotional reunions between families and survivors took place across the country.

“A new era of peace in the Middle East”

Concluding the summit, Trump declared, “This is not just an agreement — it’s the beginning of a new era. From now on, the Middle East will talk about peace, not war.”

He thanked the countries that contributed to the peace effort, adding, “Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have together achieved something that will be remembered for generations.”