In a bold public statement aboard Air Force One en route to the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that “the war is over” in Gaza, while simultaneously reiterating his long-standing assertion that his tariff threats prevented an escalation into war between India and Pakistan.
Trump’s Gaza Pronouncement
Trump told reporters that the Gaza conflict has been resolved, characterizing the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as proof of a shift toward peace. He framed the truce as the eighth conflict he had successfully mediated.
He is scheduled to deliver remarks to Israel’s Knesset and attend a regional summit in Egypt to consolidate the agreement and push a broader peace framework.
While the ceasefire currently holds and the first phase of a hostage-prisoner exchange is underway, critics note that many fundamental issues remain unresolved — from reconstruction to disarmament and Gaza’s future governance.
Tariff Threats and India-Pakistan Claims
In emphasizing his peace credentials, Trump reiterated that trade pressure played a decisive role in defusing tensions between India and Pakistan earlier in 2025. He claimed that he threatened tariffs of 100 %, 150 %, or even 200 % on both nations, and that this threat forced them to back down within 24 hours.
Trump said:
“I settled a few of the wars just based on tariffs. For example, between India and Pakistan … I said I am putting tariffs … and I had that thing settled in 24 hours. If I didn’t have tariffs, you could have never settled that war.”
He also dismissed suggestions that he was motivated by a Nobel Peace Prize, stating that his goal was to save lives.
Responses and Skepticism
The Indian government has consistently rejected U.S. claims of mediation via trade pressure, maintaining the ceasefire was the outcome of direct Indian and Pakistani military and diplomatic engagement.
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Analysts caution that Trump’s narrative simplifies the complex regional dynamics and overstates the impact of external pressure. Some point out that ceasefires often rest on mutual calculations, fears of escalation, and internal pressures, not solely diplomatic brinkmanship.
Broader Implications
If the Gaza ceasefire holds, Trump may use it to bolster claims of global peacemaking — reinforced by his claims around India and Pakistan. But the durable peace will depend on fragile political compromises, the return of displaced populations, rebuilding infrastructure, and sustained diplomatic engagement.
In South Asia, questions remain whether the India-Pakistan ceasefire is stable, or merely a pause before renewed hostilities. Meanwhile, Trump indicated his attention may next turn toward conflict along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
As Trump arrives in the Middle East, the region watches closely to see whether his words translate into lasting stability or diplomatic symbolism.
