Trump open to attending Gaza ceasefire deal ceremony in ME: Rubio
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Trump may attend a Gaza peace deal ceremony if a ceasefire is reached, amid ongoing negotiations in Egypt.
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President Donald Trump waits to greet Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, as Carney arrives at the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in Washington (AP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that President Donald Trump would be interested in visiting the Middle East to attend the signing ceremony for a Gaza peace agreement, if such a deal is achieved, in a statement on Wednesday.
"Potentially, the president [Trump] will have to make that decision, but I anticipate that he would be interested in doing so if the timing could work out," Rubio told The Washington Examiner if a ceasefire agreement is reached in Gaza.
Earlier in the day, Axios reported, citing the White House, that Trump currently has no plans to travel to the Middle East to oversee the signing of a deal to end the war in Gaza.
Regarding the timeline for the release of hostages, Rubio mentioned that, during the ongoing ceasefire talks in Egypt, the US is receiving "very positive reports" and that negotiators had made significant progress today, despite there still being work ahead, according to the Washington Examiner report.
Gaza ceasefire talks show positive signs
Taher al-Nounou, an advisor to Hamas’ Political Bureau chief, stated on October 8 that the movement's approach in the talks, which he described as "positive and responsible", aimed at achieving tangible progress and completing the agreement.
Al-Nounou confirmed that both sides have exchanged lists of prisoners and captives in accordance with previously agreed criteria, emphasizing that mediators are working to remove obstacles to the implementation of a ceasefire while noting a growing sense of optimism among participants.
Expressing optimism regarding the talks, which he described as proceeding at a "very rapid and highly successful pace," Trump stressed the United States' commitment to security guarantees and supporting the release of captives. Trump confirmed that US envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are actively participating on the ground in Egypt.
While showing constructive engagement, Hamas has outlined clear conditions for agreement, including a permanent ceasefire, a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and assurances that the reconstruction of Gaza will remain under Palestinian supervision.
Hamas insists that these measures are essential in any deal and that some points mentioned in Trump's plan, particularly those related to the future governance of Gaza and the rights of the Palestinian people, "are linked to a comprehensive national stance based on relevant international laws and resolutions."
