What happened
President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron delivered two different speeches at the United Nations, with Trump announcing the end of fighting in Gaza and the return of hostages, while Macron called the situation a spectacle. However, Macron's claims were outdated, as a humanitarian corridor into Gaza had already been opened and all 251 hostages held by Hamas had been recovered, with some returned alive and others for burial.
Trump's administration had brokered a ceasefire and hostage-release plan in October 2025, which was approved by Israel's Cabinet and led to the recovery of the remains of the last hostage still held in Gaza. This development is seen as a significant result in a war that has killed thousands of people.
In contrast, Macron's approach has been criticized for being overly focused on sympathy and grandstanding, rather than taking concrete actions to achieve peace. The European Union has spent billions of euros on aid to the Palestinians, but this has not led to a lasting peace.
Trump's approach, on the other hand, has been more pragmatic, focusing on verified security guarantees and economic incentives. This approach has led to the normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco, as well as talks with Saudi Arabia and Syria.
