OPINION:
While the world is in awe of the ceasefire deal President Trump brokered with Iran and Israel, the prospect of a transformative peace initiative that would give him a lasting legacy may be closer than ever.
No fan of half measures, Mr. Trump is in a prime position to pull off a “Big Beautiful Deal,” a comprehensive diplomatic initiative that would end hostilities in Iran and the Gaza Strip, secure the release of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza, including two U.S. citizens, and help stabilize the entire region through a carefully negotiated framework.
At the heart of this proposal lies Middle East dynamics. After years of simmering tensions exploded into open conflict between Israel and Iran-backed proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq, Iran itself is finally in the fray— along with the U.S.
As successful as the military campaigns in Iran, Gaza, Lebanon and Syria may be, they cannot ensure long-term stability without a complementary diplomatic resolution. This is where the “Big Beautiful Deal” becomes critical: It would consolidate military gains into a stable, enforceable political order.
Mr. Trump is uniquely positioned to drive such an initiative forward. During his previous presidency, he brokered the Abraham Accords, achieving what many had considered nearly impossible normalization between Israel and several Arab nations. The “Big Beautiful Deal” would directly extend this diplomatic milestone by offering a more comprehensive and regional approach to peacemaking. The president’s unorthodox style — blending military action, out-of-the-box thinking and a results-oriented mindset — has demonstrated that breakthroughs are possible even in the most entrenched conflicts. The next logical step is a broader peace framework that ensures regional stability.
One central component of the “Big Beautiful Deal” would be the release of the 50 hostages still being held by Hamas. Their release would represent a humanitarian victory and a significant geopolitical achievement. It would be a powerful confidence-building measure, opening the door to wider peace talks and goodwill gestures.
It would also reaffirm America’s unwavering commitment to its people and send a clear signal that the United States does not tolerate the use of its citizens as bargaining chips. As the father of Itay Chen, a U.S. citizen held hostage by Hamas for more than 630 days, I remind the world that it is high time to end the agony of the hostages imprisoned in Hamas dungeons and of their families, who have not had a day without heartbreak and torment.
The strategic rationale for this deal extends well beyond humanitarian concerns. As we hopefully head toward a world where Iran’s destabilizing impact is minimized, the United States could shift its focus to other pressing global and domestic issues, chief among them, its complex and critical relationship with China. At the same time, the deal would empower the United States to respond more effectively to the conflict in Ukraine and the broader challenge posed by Russian aggression.
Domestically, the “Big Beautiful Deal” would support a long-standing goal of American policymakers. Though the U.S. military commitment in the Middle East seems to be at a high point, a diplomatic solution would allow the U.S. to ultimately reduce foreign military commitments and reinvest in national priorities.
Mr. Trump has emphasized “America First” throughout his administration, and this deal would be fully aligned with that principle. Ending hostilities in Gaza and Iran would mean having fewer troops overseas, releasing U.S. citizens held captive, spending less on conflicts and giving more attention to domestic issues such as infrastructure, job creation, border security and economic revitalization.
The “Big Beautiful Deal” could also realign the region’s power structure in favor of long-term stability. By bringing together Israel, moderate Arab states and international powers, it could isolate hard-line elements and incentivize de-escalation. It could provide economic incentives to Palestinian factions to pursue governance over militancy and create diplomatic room for a broader regional security framework. Just as the Abraham Accords reimagined what was possible, this next step would shift the region toward coexistence, anchored in strategic realism and mutual interests.
The required next step to initiate the “Big Beautiful Deal” would be convening a high-level summit with regional mediators who would offer the diplomatic and logistical platform necessary to bring parties to the table. Along with key international players, Israel would send a formal delegation to participate in direct and mediated talks to work out the final components of a ceasefire in Gaza and secure the unconditional release of the 50 hostages.
Such a summit, backed by U.S. leadership with support from moderate Arab states, would signal a serious and coordinated international effort to end violence, restore order and lay the groundwork for broader diplomatic progress.
By ending hostilities in Gaza, securing the release of the hostages, including Americans, and advancing regional stability as an extension of the Abraham Accords, the “Big Beautiful Deal” could free the United States to focus on economic prosperity and address other pressing global challenges, including moving forward with strengthening strategic relations with Saudi Arabia.
Not even a year into his presidency, Mr. Trump would bolster his vision and shape a transformative legacy in global peace. A “Big Beautiful Deal” is not only possible; it is a historical imperative.
• Ruby Chen is the father of Itay Chen, a 19-year-old Israeli American who was taken captive by the Hamas terrorist organization on Oct. 7, 2023. Although the Israel Defense Forces believes Itay may have been killed, Ruby, who lives in Israel with his wife, Hagit, and their two other children, continues to hold out hope that his son is alive.
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