The announcement came during a dinner hosted by Trump at the White House, amid mounting optimism over a potential 60-day ceasefire in Gaza that could see the release of Israeli hostages.

During the exchange, Netanyahu personally handed Trump a copy of the letter addressed to the Nobel Prize Committee, praising his leadership and diplomatic achievements.

“The President has already realised great opportunities. He forged the Iran Accords. He’s forging peace, as we speak, in one country and one region after the other,” Netanyahu said.

“So I want to present to you, Mr President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize Committee. It’s nominating you for the Peace Prize, which is well deserved, and you should get it.”

Trump appeared visibly surprised and expressed gratitude for the gesture. “Thank you very much. This I didn’t know. Thank you very much,” he said. “Coming from you, in particular, this is very meaningful.”

The meeting comes at a time of delicate negotiations in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. International mediators are working to finalise a truce that would pause hostilities in Gaza and allow for the exchange of hostages and humanitarian aid.

Trump has previously claimed credit for brokering the Abraham Accords during his Presidency, which normalised relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The accords were widely seen as a breakthrough in regional diplomacy, although critics argue they left the core Palestinian issue unresolved.

--Sherwin Bryce-Pease/ChannelAfrica--