Trump begins Middle East week overseeing historic peace deal

President Donald Trump He will spend the first part of the week in the Middle East overseeing a historic peace deal between Israel and Hamas, a landmark deal that is expected to end the two-year war in Gaza and bring remaining hostages home.

Before boarding Air Force One, Trump told reporters that the hostages could be released sooner and said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had done a “very good job” in helping to secure the deal.

HAMAS AGREES TO TRUMP’S PEACE PLAN, ENDING 2 YEARS OF WAR IN GAZA AND RETURNING HOSTAGES

President Donald Trump will travel to Egypt after meeting with the hostages’ families and speaking before the Knesset. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“The war is over,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews before boarding a nearly 12-hour flight to Israel. After landing in Tel Aviv, Trump is expected to meet the families of the hostages and then deliver a speech to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem.

Trump will then travel to Egypt to attend an international summit in the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday to finalize a deal to end the war in Gaza. More than 20 world leaders, including Trump, are expected, an Egyptian presidential spokesperson said, according to Reuters.

After a few hours in Israel and Egypt, Trump will board Air Force One and return to the White House early Tuesday morning to honor the deceased. Charlie Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Trump plans whirlwind trip to Israel, Egypt before returning to White House for Charlie Kirk honor

Charlie Kirk dropped out of college and, at age 31, built a $95 million political empire with a direct line to President Donald Trump. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

“It’s a very quick trip, but I’ll make two major layovers and then I’ll get on the plane to try to get back in time for Charlie,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday. “They’re going to have a big party at the White House in the East Room,” he added. The awards ceremony coincides with what would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday, October 14.

Kirk, the charismatic founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), became known for his iconic political debates on college campuses. He was murdered on Sept. 10 during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. The rally was the first stop on TPUSA’s planned “American Comeback Tour.”

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President Donald Trump thanked Charlie Kirk for helping him win the 2024 election, saying the TPUSA founder inspired young voters across the country during his memorial service. (Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images)

Kirk’s memorial service drew one of the largest public attendances for a private citizen, with approximately 90,000 people in attendance at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona and nearby overflow venues.

Trump previously announced last month that he would give Kirk the award posthumously.