United States Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz recently returned from a Middle East swing, touting the "amazing progress" in the implementation of President Donald Trump’s Israel–Gaza peace deal. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
"We have had air defense assets in Israel for quite some time to deal with attacks from Iran," Waltz said. "This is now a small headquarters element to provide a coordination — no one was talking to each other, and the U.S. military is doing what it does best."
Waltz said the U.S. troops in Israel are working with the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, the Israelis, Egyptians and Arab countries, while having contact with Palestinians and ensuring that humanitarian aid is being delivered.
"From an ‘America First’ standpoint, the United States shouldn’t be doing this alone," Waltz said. "Burden-sharing is a key component and dozens are helping under President Trump’s leadership."
UN AMBASSADOR WALTZ REVEALS TRUMP'S MIDDLE EAST PEACE PLAN IS ‘THE ONLY WAY FORWARD’
Waltz led the charge at the United Nations, implementing the now-adopted resolution that endorses the Board of Peace, sets parameters for Gaza’s transitional governance and launches the International Stabilization Force outlined in Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz raises his hand to vote in favor of a draft resolution authorizing an International Stabilization Force in Gaza on Nov. 17, 2025. (Adam Gray/Getty)
"At the end of the day, Hamas has to go," Walz explained. "What we cannot let happen is Hamas survives, and the international community pours billions of dollars into the situation — Hamas attacks Israel again, as they previously pledged to do, and Israel responds, and we are in the same situation — we cannot let that happen again. That’s why we are doing things differently this time."
Waltz pointed to the Board of Peace led by Trump, as well as the newly formed stabilization force, with troops from countries like Indonesia and Azerbaijan — as well as the technocratic committee responsible for turning government services back on.
"This has never been done before," Waltz said. "My job was to get the United Nations and the international community to bless that, and we did."
President Donald Trump attends a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war, amid a U.S.-brokered prisoner-hostage swap and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Oct. 13, 2025. (Suzanne Plunkett/Pool/Reuters)
"The bottom line is this: this was not a big symbolic thing or deal for the president," Waltz continued. "He is serious about bringing Middle East peace once and for all."
Waltz explained that the "next strategic step will be an extension of the Abraham Accords," which he described as the president’s "true objective."
Waltz explained that the implementation of the peace deal "unlocks the next round of the Abraham Accords."
"There are a number of great conversations ongoing," he said.
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"We have to remember where we were a year ago, and see everything in perspective," he explained. "You had Iran marching towards a nuke; Hezbollah launching rockets on Israel; hostages in tunnels, and now you have hostages out; Lebanon has the best chance in a generation; and Iran had its nuclear capabilities obliterated in Operation Midnight Hammer—all in ten months."
Waltz added: "It is truly incredible. It is night and day to where we were a year ago."
Brooke Singman is a political correspondent and reporter for Fox News Digital, Fox News Channel and FOX Business.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/waltz-hails-night-and-day-middle-east-shift-trumps-gaza-plan-reshapes-region