The "Art of the Deal" president might have just secured his most significant agreement yet − a peace deal between Israel and Hamas that few believed was possible.

Whether Trump's critics will acknowledge its importance remains to be seen.

Presuming the peace accord that President Donald Trump announced on Oct. 8 holds, I predict two things will happen: Democrats and pro-Palestine activists who've advocated tirelessly for a ceasefire will fail to acknowledge that Trump facilitated one.

And the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which announces its peace prize recipient on Oct. 10, will not ultimately honor Trump with the prize. But it should.

Trump's Israel, Hamas agreement is extraordinary – and worthy of Nobel Peace Prize

It's almost impossible to overstate the gravity of Trump's accomplishment in brokering an agreement between Israel and Hamas to enter the first phase of a ceasefire. According to Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Majed Al Ansari, it will result in "ending the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid."

Trump celebrated the deal in the most Trumpian way possible, posting on Truth Social. "This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America. ... BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!" the president concluded, a nod to the Gospel of Matthew, in his signature all-cap style.

Trump might sound dramatic, but the deal almost seems biblical in its proportion. It's been two years since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The terrorist organization slaughtered about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 people hostage, including Americans, forcing Israel to defend itself.

As a result of the ongoing war, according to Hamas, Israeli forces have killed more than 67,000 people in Gaza. The cost of this war has been grievous and seemed eternal.

This conflict should never have started, but it certainly needs to end ‒ and now, Trump has helped end it.

Norwegian Nobel Committee will ignore Trump's achievements

I understand why the Norwegian Nobel Committee would hesitate to award Trump its peace prize. I will point out that the deadline to nominate Trump for this specific achievement has passed, but neglecting this opportunity in the future would reek of bias. The committee members would miss their chance to honor his peacemaking efforts around the globe.

Trump's already been nominated by Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-New York, who also nominated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for their collective work on the Abraham Accords.

Trump also helped end an escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Though he has not yet been successful, Trump has tried to bring Russia and Ukraine to the peacekeeping table.

If there's another person or organization who has brokered more peace this year, I'm ready to give them an enthusiastic nod.

But this isn't the only reason the Nobel Committee should give it to Trump. He has reached a level of achievement close to that of previous presidential winners. President Barack Obama, anyone? Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson and Jimmy Carter were also awarded the prize. If Trump's accomplishments with foreign policy in 2025 alone have not surpassed those of these recipients, they are at least on par with them.

Even the 2024 recipient, the Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo, received the peace prize for “its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons." Trump's calculated strike on Iran in June, which the administration said "obliterated" that country's nuclear arsenal, accomplished that.

The first phase of Trump's Hamas plan called for the release of Israeli hostages within 72 hours of an agreement being reached in exchange for Palestinians jailed in Israel. There are 48 remaining hostages in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

The world is safer, countries are at peace and families may finally begin to heal. Trump should eventually win the Nobel Peace Prize, but if he doesn't, the peace he brokered between Israel and Hamas ‒ if it lasts ‒ will be legacy enough.

Nicole Russell is an opinion columnist with USA TODAY. She lives in Texas with her four kids. Sign up for her newsletter, The Right Track, and get it delivered to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: If Israel, Hamas peace deal holds, Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize | Opinion

Reporting by Nicole Russell, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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