Trump peace miracle must hold in Middle East

THE atmosphere was triumphant. To standing ovations, Donald Trump regaled the Knesset - Israel's parliament with a raucous, fist-pumping speech that left no one in any doubt who had secured the peace between Israel and Gaza.

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The “war is over”, proclaimed the US president, and if he was immodest perhaps he deserves to be. For Mr Trump’s 20-point plan appears to have broken the back of the two-year conflict, which has led to the loss of so many Palestinian and Israeli lives since Hamas invaded Israel on October 7, 2023. It also makes Britons safer as peace in the Middle East makes it less likely that violent ripples will be felt here.

After Hamas released the 20 living Gaza hostages yesterday morning, nail-biting anticipation turned to moving scenes of reunion.