US President Donald Trump appears to be girding himself for disappointment as the Nobel Peace Prize announcement approaches on Friday. Despite openly campaigning for the honour, he acknowledged, “Whatever they do is fine. I know this: I didn’t do it for that, I did it because I saved a lot of lives.”

The timing comes as Trump claims to have brokered a historic ceasefire between Israel and Hamas — a deal he says could end the two-year war in Gaza. Since returning to office, Trump’s efforts to craft a legacy as a global peacemaker have been overshadowed by the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the persistent Middle East conflict.

Now, with a ceasefire deal reportedly in place, Trump is seeking to turn that narrative around.

Trump announced the development on Thursday during a meeting with his Cabinet, declaring it “something that people said was never going to be done.” He insisted the agreement could lead to an “everlasting peace.”

“Everything came together,” said Trump, who has long touted himself as a master dealmaker since his New York real estate days.

The agreement, if it holds, could mark a rare moment of vindication for a president often criticised as a diplomatic bumbler more interested in prestige than peace.

Plans for a Middle East visit

Trump plans to travel to the Middle East over the weekend to solidify the deal. He said he could take part in a signing ceremony in Egypt — a key player in the negotiations — and address Israel’s Knesset.

Former US envoy to the Middle East Dennis Ross said the progress “creates some momentum, and it’s quite different from what we’ve seen before.”

A fragile path to peace

Despite the apparent progress, major hurdles remain. The Israeli Parliament must still approve the plan, while Hamas is expected to release hostages taken during its initial attack. Israel has pledged to free Palestinian prisoners in exchange.

Further complications involve ensuring humanitarian aid reaches Gaza and forming a transitional government there.

Aaron David Miller, a veteran Middle East adviser to multiple US administrations, cautioned, “It is not a peace agreement. It is not a guaranteed end to the war.” Yet he noted, “Something has happened here that breaks a two-year conflict and offers an alternative pathway.”

Praise tempered by caution abroad

Global leaders have responded with cautious optimism. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “I welcome the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, based on the proposal put forward by President Donald Trump.”

French President Emmanuel Macron applauded Trump’s role and urged “all parties to strictly uphold its terms.” Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who recently visited the White House, expressed “sincere gratitude to US President Donald Trump, who demonstrated the necessary political will to encourage the Israeli government toward the ceasefire.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, however, was more restrained, referring only to “the American president” and saying, “This is not really concluded.”

During a separate Oval Office meeting, Finnish President Alexander Stubb — while finalising a deal on Arctic icebreaker ships — praised the Gaza agreement, calling it “what diplomacy is at its best.”

White House celebrates amid scepticism

At Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, Vice President JD Vance praised Trump, saying, “For months, the fake news media attacked you, attacked the entire team, attacked your approach. The reason we’re here is because the president charted a different course.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio credited Trump’s recent visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, along with discussions during the United Nations General Assembly, as instrumental in reaching this stage.

A crucial moment came two weeks ago during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s White House visit, when Trump urged Netanyahu to apologise for Israel’s airstrike on Hamas leaders in Qatar, a US ally hosting ceasefire talks.

Trump then announced his Gaza peace plan and gave Hamas a deadline to accept it. Although Hamas replied conditionally, Trump pressed ahead regardless.

Trump’s record and ongoing ambitions

At the Cabinet meeting, Trump reiterated his claim that he has already “settled seven wars or major conflicts” since taking office, calling the Gaza deal “number eight.”

Only three sitting US presidents have ever received the Nobel Peace Prize, with a fourth — Jimmy Carter — recognised post-presidency. Trump, who has often derided international institutions and boasted of bombing Iranian nuclear sites, would be an unusual choice.

Nonetheless, he remains undeterred. Asked about the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, he replied confidently, “I think that’s going to happen too.”