US President Donald Trump's day-long trip to the Middle East came as the Gaza deal was clinched: an agreement amounting to one of the most critical moments yet after two years of catastrophic war.
Painting as he does in primary colours, Trump's portrayal was vivid - of the biggest turning point in three millennia. On the return flight in the early hours of Tuesday, he reflected that it had been a historic day, to put it mildly. He had earlier suggested everlasting peace had been grasped under his tutelage, in a region long convulsed by violence.
As part of the White House press corps, we were travelling on Air Force One – which is how I found myself at the centre of this US diplomatic tornado.
As we headed for Tel Aviv, the presidential plane took a turn to do a fly-by of the beach, dipping a wing so we could get a view of a giant sign atop the sand that said thank you to Trump, featuring the Israeli flag and the outline of his profile.
This maneuver set the mood for a trip that was a victory lap rather than an exercise in detailing the negotiations for a longer-term future for Gaza. The agreement made in Doha last week marked a profound moment for millions: hostages held by Hamas were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and Gaza residents began returning to their homes amid a partial Israeli withdrawal.
However, Trump's journey was just a waypoint, not a final destination in resolving the age-old conflict.
The immediate question hanging over the trip was whether Trump's deal could hold and whether further negotiations would follow. Trump expressed confidence in the ceasefire's stability, yet he glossed over major concerns regarding the governance and security of Gaza.
In Israel, Trump was greeted with a celebration. The mood in the Knesset was raucous, with supporters shouting Thank you Trump and wearing caps declaring him the president of peace. Meanwhile, he made a case for enduring peace as he pivoted to campaign remarks.
Following a brief visit to Israel, the delegation flew to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for a signing ceremony, marking a significant diplomatic moment. Trump stated that it took 3,000 years to get to this point, yet acknowledged ongoing challenges in the quest for lasting peace.
While he projected certainty in the newfound deal, the complexities of Middle Eastern politics remain daunting, implying that a single figure alone cannot shape the future.
