Trump sets off for Middle East to mark Gaza ceasefire deal

Mr Trump thinks there is a narrow window to reshape the Middle East and reset long-fraught relations between Israel and its Arab neighbours

US President Donald Trump outside the White House. Picture: Alex Brandon/AP

US President Donald Trump set off for Israel and Egypt on Sunday to celebrate the US-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas and urge Middle East allies to seize the opportunity to build a durable peace in the volatile region.

It is a fragile moment with Israel and Hamas in only the early stages of implementing the first phase of the Trump agreement designed to bring a permanent end to the war sparked by the October 7 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas-led militants.