Nurit Yohanan is The Times of Israel's Palestinian and Arab world correspondent
Ayed Abu Ramadan, head of the Gaza Chamber of Commerce. (Courtesy)
A group of local officials in Gaza, led by Ayed Abu Ramadan, head of the Gaza Chamber of Commerce, sent a letter today to US President Trump thanking him for bringing about the end of the war in Gaza.
The letter, which was obtained by The Times of Israel, states: “We wish to express our sincere gratitude for your leadership and unwavering commitment to ending the war in Gaza… Your efforts have restored to us the most vital thing — hope.”
Among those who signed on to the letter were Yahya al-Sarraj, the mayor of Gaza City; economist Soufian Odeh; and other business and academic figures.
President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, October 9, 2025, in Washington, DC. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The officials call not only for the reconstruction of the Strip, but also for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in line with UN resolutions.
In the letter, the officials invite Trump to visit the Gaza Strip, writing: “We would be deeply honored to welcome you to Gaza to witness firsthand the resilience of our people and the renewal your leadership has helped make possible.”
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From the Liveblog of
Friday, October 10, 2025
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