WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump departed Sunday for Israel and Egypt to celebrate the US-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, and to urge Middle East allies to seize what he called a rare opportunity to build lasting peace in the region.

The trip comes as Israel and Hamas begin implementing the first phase of the Trump-brokered agreement intended to end the two-year conflict that began with Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.

“The war is over, OK?” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One before takeoff. “I think people are tired of it,” he said, expressing confidence that the ceasefire would hold.

Trump said his administration’s military and diplomatic support for Israel’s campaign against Iranian-backed groups, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, had helped create the conditions for peace.

The White House said Arab and Muslim states are showing renewed focus on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and, in some cases, strengthening ties with Washington.

The first phase of the agreement includes the release of the remaining 48 hostages held by Hamas — about 20 of whom are believed to be alive — along with hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, expanded humanitarian aid to Gaza, and an Israeli troop pullback from major urban areas.

Israeli troops completed partial withdrawals Friday, triggering a 72-hour countdown for the hostage releases, which are expected Monday or Tuesday.

Trump will first visit Israel, where he plans to meet with families of the hostages and deliver an address to the Knesset — the first by a U.S. president since George W. Bush in 2008. Vice President JD Vance said Trump also hopes to meet with newly freed hostages.

The president will then travel to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, to co-chair a peace summit with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.

The gathering will include leaders from more than 20 countries and focus on consolidating the ceasefire, rebuilding Gaza, and advancing regional security.

Analysts say major challenges remain, including unresolved questions about Gaza’s postwar governance, reconstruction, and Israel’s demand that Hamas disarm — a condition viewed as unlikely by many observers.

Former U.S. national security adviser H.R. McMaster said at a Washington event last week that Hamas’ disarmament “is pretty close to zero,” warning that Israel may resume operations if its demands are not met.

Israel faces growing international isolation and accusations of genocide.

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a former defense minister, while the U.N.’s top court continues to examine allegations brought by South Africa.

Trump’s visit also aims to revive and expand the Abraham Accords — the diplomatic agreements that normalized Israel’s relations with several Arab nations during his first term.

Trump has also authorized the creation of a U.S.-led civil-military coordination center in Israel to facilitate humanitarian aid and security logistics in Gaza.

About 200 U.S. troops will help monitor the ceasefire but will not deploy inside the enclave, according to U.S. Central Command. — Agencies