24 hours with Trump on diplomatic tornado through Middle East

US President Donald Trump’s one-day trip to the Middle East came just as the Gaza agreement was being reached: an agreement coming into effect that marks one of the most consequential moments yet after two years of disastrous war.

Painted in primary colours, Trump’s depiction is lively – of the biggest turning point in three thousand years. On the return flight in the early hours of Tuesday, he said it was “a historic day, to put it mildly.” He had previously indicated that “lasting peace” had been achieved under his tutelage in a region that had been witnessing violence for a long time.

As a member of the White House press corps, we were traveling on Air Force One – and so I found myself at the center of this American diplomatic whirlwind.

As we were heading to Tel Aviv, the presidential plane turned around for a flyover over the beach. She dipped a wing so we could see a giant banner above the sand saying “thank you” to Trump, and featured the Israeli flag as well as a side outline of the US president’s head.

This maneuver set the stage for a trip that was a victory lap, not an exercise in hammering out the punitive details to begin the “second phase” of negotiations and secure the long-term future of Gaza.

The agreement reached in Doha last week was subjected to intense pressure from both sides by Trump. This was one of the most profound moments for millions of people in the past two years: major combat operations in Gaza ceased, the remaining living hostages held by Hamas were released in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and Palestinians in Gaza returned to the ruins of their homes in the north amid a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces.

But I found that Trump’s journey was actually to a waypoint, not a destination — a fragile truce in a century-old conflict that shows no real signs of resolution.

The most pressing question looming during the trip was whether the Trump deal could hold up – and whether it was now possible to build on more intense, and perhaps more difficult, negotiations.

During the trip, Trump came back to talk to us. He was standing in the doorway as we gathered around him, and he clearly wanted to build a sense of accomplishment, often referring to his role in negotiating the deal.

“Every country is dancing in the streets,” he said repeatedly. I pressed him on whether the ceasefire would remain in place. He expressed confidence that this would happen, saying there were “a lot of reasons why it will hold up.” But he ignored the big questions about what comes next, especially how to secure and govern Gaza.

I asked him about the proposed multinational force, or international stabilization force, that he outlined in his 20-point plan, the existence of which has not yet been agreed upon by the two sides.

“It will be a big, powerful force,” Trump said, adding that it would “barely” be necessary to use it because “people will act, and everyone knows where they are.”

On the tarmac of Tel Aviv Airport, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Trump with a red carpet and a military band. After that, we set out in the procession towards Jerusalem, along Highway 1, which was completely cleared for the presidential motorcade.

On the same day, thousands watched a giant screen in a public square in Tel Aviv that became known as Hostage Square. They shed tears of joy and relief when Hamas released the hostages in Gaza. Trump’s arrival was the other half of this split-screen moment – as images were broadcast of the US president setting foot on Israeli soil.

In the Knesset, or Israeli parliament, the public mood was more tumultuous than the mood prevailing in the streets. Red baseball caps distributed by employees, and worn by some members of the public, read: “President of Peace.” Onlookers from the balcony behind me shouted: “Thank you, Trump.” Lawmakers struck their offices. Trump praised the “historic dawn of a new Middle East.”

He also wanted to leave little doubt that the war was over, and he seemed to expect it to remain that way: Israel had won, he said, with America’s help, everything it could “by force of arms.” His speech turned into widespread attacks on his political opponents in the United States. He praised a major donor to his campaign as he sat in the gallery.

He even appealed to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, sitting next to him, to pardon Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption – charges that the Israeli prime minister denies. “Cigars and champagne, who the hell cares about that?” Trump exclaimed, referring to the allegation that Netanyahu accepted expensive gifts.

The White House press officers accompanying the press pool — the “sponsors” — returned us to the press vans and the motorcade returned to Ben Gurion Airport after less than seven hours in Israel.

We took a short trip to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt; The site of the mediated talks between Israel and Hamas that led to a breakthrough last week. As we descended, we were escorted by Egyptian F16s, the ultimate display for a president who loves a show of military might. Trump wanted to celebrate every minute of the day.

But the risks in this region are many, and the danger seemed clear that the final deal was announced before it was actually concluded.

This was reflected in the giant banner written in capital letters above the presidential podium in Sharm El-Sheikh: “Peace in the Middle East.” There, I witnessed the extraordinary spectacle of world leaders gathering in a room to stand behind Trump as he delivered his speech praising peace. They lined up in front of their national flags and listened to him list their countries one by one. Trump was introduced to the stage by the host, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who said the goal remains a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians.

Trump has changed his position significantly since the beginning of this year. He became increasingly irritated with the Israeli leadership and became closer to his friends in the Gulf. This came amid a diplomatic move by the Europeans to isolate Israel due to its escalating campaign in Gaza and to convince the Saudi leadership of their vision. Trump then changed, attracted to his Gulf allies – whose wealth and “power” he repeatedly pointed to during the drip.

Trump presided over the signing ceremony in Sharm El Sheikh, saying it took “3,000 years” to get here. But there are still many more years to go – and it will take more than one man to get there.