Trump Heads to Middle East After Nobel Snub, Aims to Cement Image as ‘Peace Envoy’

Darwin, 12 October- 

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to depart for the Middle East on Sunday, in what observers describe as a high-stakes diplomatic mission aimed at portraying himself as a “messenger of peace” following his role in brokering a ceasefire in Gaza.

Trump had been widely expected to receive this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the honor instead to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado — a decision that has reportedly angered the White House. In a statement, the administration accused the committee of “prioritizing politics over peace.”

According to the White House, Trump will leave Washington on Sunday night, first arriving in Israel where he is scheduled to deliver a speech on Monday. He will then travel to Egypt to attend the official signing ceremony of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Al Jazeera reports that several Middle Eastern nations are preparing to welcome Trump as a “hero of peace.” Both Israel and Hamas have praised the U.S. president for his mediation efforts, which helped halt the months-long conflict in Gaza and secure the release of Israeli hostages.

However, analysts warn that sustaining long-term peace will require Trump to exert pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent renewed attacks once hostages are freed.

“Trump is closely monitoring the situation and wants to send a message to Netanyahu that this is the end — the war must stop here,” said Mohamed Elmasry, a professor at the Doha Institute.

Experts also note that Trump’s mediation is only one of several factors behind the ceasefire. A recent U.N. investigation labeled Israel’s two-year-long Gaza campaign as “ethnic cleansing,” while mounting global outrage and the failure to rescue hostages have left Israel diplomatically isolated.

“Despite destroying 80 percent of Gaza’s buildings, Israel has failed to achieve its objectives,” said Yousef Munayyer of the Arab Center in Washington. “This war has increasingly alienated them from the international community.”

Human rights organizations have cautioned that true peace in Gaza cannot be achieved without accountability for occupation and atrocities.

Nancy Okail, head of the Center for International Policy think tank, warned, “If there’s no justice for the horrific crimes committed in Gaza, other nations may feel emboldened to do the same — putting the entire world at greater risk.”