Trump Declares Hostage Crisis Concluded; Pivots to $112B 'Project Sunrise' Ahead of Netanyahu Summit

WASHINGTON — President Trump effectively closed the book on the active hostage recovery phase of the Gaza conflict today, declaring the effort to retrieve the "body of the last hostage" complete. The announcement signals an immediate strategic pivot toward the administration's $112 billion "Project Sunrise" initiative ahead of the December 29 bilateral meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The declaration marks a definitive shift in White House messaging. With the operational requirements of the October 8, 2025, ceasefire now satisfied, analysts expect the Trump-Netanyahu summit to move away from retrospective crisis terminology. This likely presages a decline in the frequency of terms like "hostage" during joint remarks, replaced by forward-looking economic nomenclature centering on "Gaza," "Israel," and "regional integration."

Crucially, the President’s confirmation that reconstruction will begin "soon" serves as verification regarding the status of foreign forces. Building on his December 15 admission that the International Stabilization Force for Gaza was "already running," today’s statement implies these multi-national troops have successfully secured internal transit routes necessary for heavy contractors, operating beyond mere buffer zones. This confirms that foreign personnel are active on the ground, satisfying the security prerequisites for the administration's redevelopment timeline.

The focus now turns to "Project Sunrise," the reconstruction blueprint led by Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, which aims to transform the enclave into a "high-tech, luxurious coastal destination." The removal of active combat threats and the confirmed presence of the Stabilization Force significantly lower the logistical barriers for a potential Presidential visit to the territory before the year ends.

As the December 29 summit approaches, the administration is positioning the Gaza Strip not as a war zone, but as an investment opportunity—a narrative overhaul that will dictate the vocabulary and diplomatic posturing of the coming week.