The world awaits the announcement of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, set for Friday in Oslo, just a day after Israel and Hamas reportedly reached a long-awaited ceasefire agreement — a deal that came too late for US President Donald Trump, who had hoped it would strengthen his case for the prestigious honor.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee will reveal the laureate at 11:00 a.m. local time (0900 GMT), concluding months of speculation about who will receive the world’s most anticipated peace accolade. However, experts have already dismissed the possibility of Trump’s victory, stating that the committee had finalized its decision days before the Gaza truce was reached.
“The Nobel Committee has already made its decision, and the Gaza deal has absolutely no significance for this year’s outcome,” historian and Peace Prize expert Asle Sveen told AFP. “Trump will not win the prize this year — I’m 100 percent certain.”
The ceasefire and hostage release deal, reportedly brokered after intense international pressure, could mark a turning point in the two-year Gaza conflict. Yet, critics argue that Trump’s foreign policy approach, particularly his unwavering support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, contradicts the principles of peace that the Nobel Prize seeks to honor.
Despite skepticism from Oslo, Trump has repeatedly claimed he deserves the prize for what he describes as “historic conflict resolutions.” When asked about his chances on Thursday, he said, “Nobody in history has solved eight wars in nine months. I’ve stopped eight wars. That’s never happened before.”
However, analysts point out that his “America First” ideology and divisive rhetoric run counter to the humanitarian and diplomatic ideals set forth by Alfred Nobel in his 1895 will.
With 338 nominees this year — including individuals and organizations — there is no clear frontrunner. Potential contenders include Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms, Yulia Navalnaya (widow of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny), and international bodies such as the UNHCR, UNRWA, or the International Criminal Court.
The Nobel Institute confirmed that, despite global tensions, the committee will name a laureate this year. “There will be a winner,” spokesman Erik Aasheim told AFP, dismissing speculation of a skipped award amid ongoing wars and humanitarian crises.
Last year’s Peace Prize went to Nihon Hidankyo, an association of survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings advocating for nuclear disarmament. This year’s winner will receive a gold medal, a diploma, and a $1.2 million cash award, continuing the Nobel legacy of recognizing those who strive for peace in turbulent times.
