President Donald Trump joins 20 world leaders in Egypt on Oct. 13 to sign the first stage of peace agreement.

by Reid Duvall ‘27

On October 9, a historic step toward peace was taken when Israel and Hamas agreed to phase one of a ceasefire proposed by President Donald Trump. Under this agreement, Israel has committed to pulling its troops from most of Gaza, and all remaining living hostages have been released. This breakthrough offers hope, not just for the region but for the world.

The Israel-Hamas war has been one of the most destructive conflicts in recent history. Nearly 1,200 Israelis were killed in the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. In the two years since, reports estimate up to 70,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, including as many as 20,000 children. Tens of thousands more have been injured. The humanitarian in Gaza toll has been staggering and includes displacement, hunger, and the disruption of basic services like healthcare, clean water, and electricity.

The agreement brokered by the Trump Administration marks the beginning of the end of the war, and even those who do not necessarily support Trump acknowledge the significance of this achievement and its implications for the world.

In the face of international logjams and repeated diplomatic failure, the president has succeeded in bringing the two enemies, caught in what felt like an endless cycle of violence, to a point of negotiation. Yes, there are still a number of sticking points to work out, such as what authority will govern Gaza in the short- and long-term as well as if and when the Israeli military will fully withdraw from Gaza. Too often in the past, however, diplomatic efforts failed because both sides required all the details to be figured out. Trump and his team deserve credit for taking a more pragmatic path to get what is achievable now and worry later about more intractable issues.

Some may argue that giving a Nobel Peace Prize to someone like Trump might be too divisive. Even himself claiming that he deserves the award may sound like another one of his bombastic and provocative statements. Peace should not be about pleasing someone; it’s about the results the world observes. The release of hostages, the halt of violence, and the creation of a path toward resolution are substantial outcomes.

This is what peacebuilding looks like, often imperfect and initiated by unexpected people. Trump’s role in creating and fostering this agreement demonstrates diplomatic skill, perseverance, and a commitment to finding solutions in a world too often divided by political ideology and hatred. The ceasefire is not the end of the journey, but it marks the beginning of a new chapter. President Trump deserves serious consideration for the Nobel Peace Prize based on his accomplishments.