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U.S. President Donald Trump praised President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's contribution to the Gaza ceasefire, saying he was "terrific" and "really very helpful" while en route to the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit on Monday.
Trump answered reporters' questions aboard his plane while traveling to Egypt to attend the summit regarding the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Trump noted that many different Muslim countries, especially Türkiye, Qatar, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, made great contributions to the Gaza ceasefire.
"By the way, Türkiye was terrific. President Erdogan was terrific, really very helpful. Because he's very respected. He's got a very strong nation, he's got a very strong military," Trump said.
When reporters asked whether the ceasefire could be sustained, Trump replied, "The war is over; the war is over. Do you understand?"
Trump noted there are many reasons for sustaining the ceasefire. "People are tired. Not just recently, but for centuries, people have been tired. I think everybody knows their place. It's going to be great for Israel, for the Muslim countries around it, and for everyone. I think it's going to stay that way," Trump said.
Trump stated that he does not think an international force will be needed in Gaza. When asked, "When will the Gaza Riviera happen?" Trump said, "I don't know; we need to look after the people there first. It's completely in ruins right now."
Asked whether he would visit Gaza, Trump said, "I would love to, and I would be proud to do so. I see it without visiting, but I want to set foot there. Gaza will be a magnificent miracle in the coming decades."
President Erdogan will visit Egypt on Monday to attend the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit, as invited by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Trump, said Türkiye's communications chief Burhanettin Duran.
Duran wrote on social media platform X on Sunday: "Our president is scheduled to deliver a speech at the summit and to hold consultations with the leaders of the participating countries."
Over 20 world leaders are expected to attend the summit, which will be co-chaired by Sisi and Trump.
Besides Erdogan, participants will include French President Emmanuel Macron, Jordan's King Abdullah, Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Spanish Premier Pedro Sanchez, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Egypt said the summit aims "to end the war in the Gaza Strip, enhance efforts to bring peace and stability to the Middle East, and usher in a new phase of regional security and stability."
Trump announced Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of his 20-point plan aimed at implementing a ceasefire in Gaza.
The plan includes the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
The first phase took effect on Friday.
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed over 67,600 Palestinians in Gaza, most of them women and children, leaving the enclave largely uninhabitable.
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