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U.S. President Donald Trump was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on Monday by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following a signing ceremony in Egypt that marked what leaders called a historic turning point in the decades-long Middle East conflict.
"President Trump is the best candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize because he has saved millions of lives," Sharif said after the ceremony. "Today is the greatest day in modern history because peace has been achieved as a result of intensive efforts led by President Trump."
The announcement came as Trump joined Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in signing a declaration of intent aimed at rebuilding Gaza and establishing what Trump described as "lasting peace" in the region.
Trump, speaking at the ceremony, claimed to have accomplished what others deemed impossible. "Today, people around the world are reaching the day they hoped for. No one thought it was possible," he said. "We have built lasting peace in the Middle East, which everyone said was impossible."
The signing follows a prisoner exchange earlier Monday in which all 20 living Israeli hostages were released from captivity, while hundreds of Palestinian prisoners were freed from Israeli facilities including Ofer military prison and detention centers in the Negev Desert.
Trump said efforts continue to locate the bodies of hostages who died in captivity. "They know where numerous are, I guess five or six are in yet now," he said, adding that search parties are working with Israel to recover remains.
The U.S. president outlined ambitious reconstruction plans for Gaza, which has been left largely uninhabitable after Israeli attacks that have killed more than 67,800 Palestinians since October 2023, most of them women and children, according to Gaza health authorities.
"Years of war have ended. Humanitarian aid has entered Gaza. Civilians are returning to their homes. We will rebuild. We will build better than anyone else," Trump said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the broader regional implications of the agreement. "This is not just about revitalizing Gaza, it's about transforming the region," he said.
Trump singled out Erdogan for particular praise during the ceremony, calling him "a tough cookie" with "one of the most powerful armies, actually, in the world."
"This gentleman from a place called Türkiye has one of the most powerful armies in the world. It's much more powerful than he even lets known," Trump said. "When they have a problem with you, they always call me to handle it and usually I come through. Every time I've ever needed him, he's been there for me."
Trump also thanked Erdogan's wife, calling her "a very beautiful person." He later added, "I also wanna give sincere thanks to President Erdogan of Türkiye. He is always there when I need him. He is such a tough guy, he is tough as you can be but we love him."
Erdogan was among four leaders who signed the declaration of intent alongside Trump at the summit, which Egypt said 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."
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, attending the summit, called the day "historic."
"October 13, 2025, is a historic day. It will go down in history books as an important day. For this region, for the whole world," Merz said before the ceremony.
Sharif extended thanks to other regional leaders involved in brokering the ceasefire, including Erdogan, Sheikh Tamim, and Jordan's King Abdullah.
Trump described the gathering as unprecedented, saying he invited 35 countries and all attended. "This is one of the most important days in the world. The most important day of the last 100 years," he said.
The president said negotiations for a second phase of the agreement have already begun, with Hamas playing what he called "a very important role."
El-Sisi stressed the need for the ceasefire to take hold before all remaining issues can be resolved. "For all hostages to be released, the ceasefire must be established," he said. "We must deliver the remaining bodies to Israel as soon as possible, get aid to the region, and complete the remaining stages of the agreement."
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