Donald Trump on Monday said that the ceasefire he helped broker in the Gaza war had brought about the "historic dawn of a new Middle East." The US President described the ceasefire deal as “an incredible triumph for Israel and the world,” as he highlighted the success of the accord brokered under his leadership.
"And after so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a holy land that is finally at peace, a land and a region that will live, God willing, in peace for all eternity," he said while addressing the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, in Jerusalem.
"This is not only the end of a war... This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East."
Lightly teasing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said: “I want to express my gratitude to a man of exceptional courage and patriotism whose partnership did so much to make this momentous day possible,” Trump said. “You know, who I’m talking about—there’s only one: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.”
Trump then asked Netanyahu to stand as the Knesset erupted in applause. “And he is not easy, I want to tell you. I want to tell you he’s not the easiest guy to deal with, but that’s what makes him great,” Trump added, prompting some laughter.
Trump took another jab at Netanyahu and speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana, for their "brilliant but very long speeches."
The US President continued by thanking Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who he said "loves Israel," as well as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
"We had some unbelievably good people working on this," he said.
Turning to Israel, Trump added, "Bibi would call me so many times" asking for weapons—"so many that Israel became strong and powerful... that's what led to peace."
He also hailed an end to a "painful nightmare" after two years of war in Gaza. "From October 7 until this week, Israel has been a nation at war, enduring burdens that only a proud and faithful people could withstand," Trump said.
"For so many families across this land, it has been years since you've known a single day of true peace... The long and painful nightmare is finally over," the US president added.
Trump received a standing ovation from Israeli lawmakers ahead of his address to parliament during his brief visit to Israel after brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The applause lasted several minutes as lawmakers clapped and cheered Trump, who was accompanied by his special envoy Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and daughter Ivanka.
Trump’s speech was briefly interrupted when an opposition MK held up a sign reading “Recognize Palestine.” Speaker Amir Ohana called for order as the protesting MK was quickly escorted out. Trump then resumed, calling the removal “very efficient.”
Trump's historic speech in the Israeli Parliament came as the final 20 surviving Israeli hostages returned home following two years in captivity.
Trump, who has declared the war in Gaza "over", helped broker the ceasefire by proposing a 20-point plan for the territory.
Hostage-prisoner exchange
The initial stage of the ceasefire deal includes the release of 47 Israeli living and dead hostages taken on October 7, 2023 in exchange for 250 prisoners and 1,700 Gazans held by Israel since the war broke out.
Hamas is also expected to hand over the remains of a soldier killed in 2014 during a previous Gaza conflict.
Israel confirmed all 20 hostages had returned to the country, with a series of posts on X that read: "Welcome home".
Israel does not expect all of the dead hostages to be returned on Monday.
"Our struggle is not over. It will not end until the last hostage is located and returned for proper burial," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement.
In return, Israel is due to release nearly 2,000 prisoners held in its jails.
In the occupied West Bank, an AFP journalist saw several buses leaving Israel's Ofer prison, while huge crowds in Ramallah gathered to welcome the prisoners.
Later in the day, Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will co-chair a summit of a host of world leaders in Egypt's Sharm El-Sheikh.
After the Egyptian presidency announced Netanyahu's expected attendance, the Israeli leader said he was unable to go because the summit coincides with a Jewish holiday.
On Sunday, the Egyptian foreign ministry said a "document ending the war in the Gaza Strip" was expected to be signed during the "historic" gathering.
According to three diplomatic sources, mediators the US, Egypt, Qatar and likely Turkey would sign a guarantee document during the summit.
Hamas will not be represented at the summit, though Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, whose movement rivals Hamas, will attend.
Among those also expected are UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Jordan's King Abdullah II, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Representation is also expected from the EU and Arab League, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Pakistan, Indonesia, India and Germany, among others.
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