Trump Declares Gaza War ‘Over,’ Cites Verbal Guarantees From Both Sides As Israel Finalizes Prisoner List

US President Donald Trump said aboard Air Force One on Sunday night that he has received “verbal guarantees” from both Israel and Hamas, as well as other regional players, ensuring the success of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement. Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “We have a lot of verbal guarantees, and I don’t think they’re going to want to disappoint me.”

The president described his relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “very good,” noting, “I had some disputes with him and they were quickly settled.” Trump added that he plans to eventually visit Gaza himself once security conditions permit. “I would be proud to,” he said. “I’d like to put my feet on it at least.”

Meanwhile, Trump announced that a new governing authority for Gaza, one he said he will personally oversee under his own plan, would be established “very quickly.” He appeared to step back from his earlier idea of involving former British prime minister Tony Blair in that process, saying, “I’ve always liked Tony, but I want to find out that he’s an acceptable choice to everybody.”

Earlier in the evening, Trump twice declared to reporters that the Gaza war “is over” as he boarded Air Force One for his Middle East trip, which includes stops in Israel and Egypt. When asked whether he believes the war between Israel and Hamas has ended, Trump responded decisively: “The war is over. The war is over. Ok. You understand that?”

He is traveling with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and a delegation of senior US officials. Netanyahu, however, maintained in a video address that “the campaign is not over,” noting that the Israeli cabinet’s approval of the first stage of Trump’s Gaza plan did not formally mark an end to the war.

Meanwhile, Israel’s government held an urgent late-night telephone vote to approve last-minute adjustments to the list of Palestinian prisoners being released in exchange for hostages. Channel 12 reported that two prisoners were removed, one already freed, another linked to Fatah, and replaced with two Hamas-affiliated inmates who are not serving life terms. Minor revisions were also made to the list of Gazans detained since October 7, including the removal of seven teenaged terroristsand the addition of seven others, among them two women.

As preparations continued, volunteers from World Central Kitchen (WCK) provided dinner Sunday night for the families of Israeli hostages awaiting their loved ones’ release. The organization’s founder, chef José Andrés, posted photos from the meal, writing, “The people in Gaza and Israel want peace, respecting each other… is the only way! Let’s hope this is a new beginning for all!”

WCK, active in both Israel and Gaza since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, briefly halted its Gaza operations last year after a mistaken IDF strike on a WCK convoy killed seven aid workers.

Meanwhile, the Red Cross denied reports that its representatives had already met with hostages in Gaza or provided updates about their medical condition. “We are in continuous contact with all parties in preparation for the hostage return operation,” the organization said. “Contrary to reports, we have not received or transmitted information regarding the medical condition of the hostages.”

According to Israeli officials, 20 living hostages are scheduled to be transferred by Hamas to the Red Cross early Monday morning, before being handed over to IDF forces inside Gaza and escorted out of the Strip.