Trump in power is like a split-screen - The man who 'would be king' destroying democracy in America versus the man who wants a Nobel Peace Prize for creating peace around the world - all the while destroying anything that gets in his way.

Trump may have been hailed as the one who created the ceasefire plan after two-years of war and other ceasefire agreements that didn't hold - but it was a group effort by Arab nations and others that lead to this deal - still moving through negotiations.

What goes on behind the scenes for these political leaders - many of them dictators - will probably never go become known to the public.

Trump hailed an "historic dawn of a new Middle East" in remarks before the Israeli parliament as the deal brought a temporary halt to hostilities in the region. It now remains to be seen how the next round of Gaza negotiations will proceed, who will be part of a peacekeeping force and whether a Palestinian state will ever be formed.

Tuesday - The first phase of the October 2025 Gaza Peace Plan achieved key breakthroughs Monday resulting in the release of all 20 living Israeli hostages and the freeing of thousands of Palestinian detainees. The second, more challenging phase - aimed at dismantling Hamas and deciding Gaza's future leadership - is being negotiated in Egypt.

One of the four bodies handed over by Hamas does not belong to an Israeli hostage, the Israeli military said, while the three others have been identified as captives. Hamas is expected to return more remains of dead hostages in Gaza. The slow release of remains has prompted Israeli authorities to reduce or delay aid to Gaza.

Something Trump once said about rebuilding Gaza has always stayed with me because in many ways I agree with him.

This morning I watched footage of Palestinians returning to what's left of their homes - a vast rubble-filled landscape with no clear path to repair or recovery - as 'winter' approaches.

Trump's proposal was stark - gutter everything, collapse the tunnels, and rebuild from scratch.

When you think about it ... that is the algorithm in which we experience ... destruction and recovery ... throughout the procession of time.

Trump's idea of transforming Gaza into a seaside resort might sound extreme - but the essence of his message was that true reconstruction requires starting over completely - not just rebuilding structures but rebuilding society itself.

Yes ... I know ... he also has plans to use this opportunity to become the richest and most powerful man in the world ...

A functioning Palestinian state must emerge - one that's stable, well-governed, and committed to progress. That means expanding freedoms for women, improving education, fostering peace, and leaving behind societal limitations of the past.

It may sound like a 'pipe dream,' but I have clients who live and work in the Middle East - many wealthy in the oil industry - dedicated to making that vision a reality through 'pipe lines' - plans waiting for their time to manifest. Are they anticipating drama? That's a given.

It will take immense resources, time, and resilience - all of which may run out before the work is done. Yet, despite everything, the hope for a brighter future still burns in the hearts of millions.