Ahead of his trip to Israel, President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the Gaza ceasefire and told reporters he might provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles if the conflict with Russia is not resolved.
He expressed confidence that the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas would hold as he set off for a one-day Middle East visit to mark what he described as “the end of the war in Gaza.”
Middle East Mission
Trump’s visit will include stops in Jerusalem and Sharm el-Sheikh. In Israel, he will address the Knesset, meet with families of released hostages, and discuss the implementation of the ceasefire with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In Egypt, he will join President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and leaders from over 20 countries for a summit focused on Gaza’s reconstruction and regional stability.
Trump described Gaza as “like a demolition site” but expressed confidence that international support could aid recovery. The agreement reopened five border crossings, allowing humanitarian aid to flow in, supported by a U.S.-led civil–military coordination centre. Around 200 U.S. troops will oversee the implementation but will not enter Gaza.
Ceasefire Details
The ceasefire marks the first step in ending hostilities sparked by Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023. Israeli forces have partially withdrawn from Gaza’s main cities, triggering a 72-hour window for Hamas to release 48 remaining Israeli hostages, around 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Trump is expected to meet freed hostages and their families during his visit.
Under the agreement, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, though prominent figures like Marwan Barghouti are not included in this phase. Humanitarian aid is being ramped up, with Israel reopening five border crossings and a U.S.-led civil-military coordination centre facilitating aid logistics. About 200 U.S. troops are supporting the deal, though none are entering Gaza.
Tomahawks for Ukraine
Trump also addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, suggesting he may notify Russian President Vladimir Putin that the United States could supply Tomahawk cruise missiles at Kyiv’s request.
“They’d like to have Tomahawks. That’s a step up,” Trump said, referring to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s requests for advanced weaponry. Analysts noted that such a move would extend Ukraine’s strike capabilities significantly, while Russia warned of a possible escalation.
Regional Implications
Trump’s trip aims to build on the Abraham Accords, strengthening diplomatic ties between Israel and Arab nations. Officials said a stable Gaza truce could facilitate talks with Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, advancing broader regional normalisation.
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The other evening, I was fuelling my car at a petrol station in Kenya’s capital. It was one of those small moments most motorists barely notice. The attendant filled the tank, I glanced at the pump price, paid, and drove off.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 15 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials launched a new round of talks in Paris on Sunday (15 March) to resolve issues in their trade truce. The discussions aim to smooth the way for U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of March.
Senior officials from the United States and China met in Paris this week for a new round of trade talks, as the world’s two largest economies attempt to manage their economic rivalry and avoid further tensions.
Court documents released on Monday (16 March) revealed that the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has asked a U.S. judge to dismiss President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation suit over a 2024 documentary, arguing his re-election proves the edited 2021 speech did not harm his reputation.
Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea on Friday (13 March), according to Poland’s Operational Command.
Russia has imposed a fine of 35 million roubles (around $432,366) on the messaging platform Telegram for failing to remove content deemed illegal by the authorities, according to the Interfax news agency.
Madagascar's president, Michael Randrianirina announced the appointment of anti-corruption chief Mamitiana Rajaonarison as prime minister, six days after dismissing the previous premier along with the entire cabinet.
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