Netanyahu hails 'greatest friend' Trump, Israel to nominate him for Nobel Peace Prize next year

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Israeli Knesset

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday described US President Donald Trump as "the greatest friend" Israel has ever had in the White House, as the two leaders received warm welcome in the Israeli Knesset.

"Donald Trump is the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House. No American president has ever done more for Israel," Netanyahu said while addressing the Israeli parliament.

Netanyahu, in his speech to parliament, also praised Israel's soldiers, saying the country had "achieved amazing victories over Hamas".

Crediting him for the return of hostages, Netanyahu said: "You (Trump) are committed to this peace, I am committed to this peace, and together we will achieve the peace."

"Israel achieved amazing victories," Netanyahu said, adding that Israel acted decisively against Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran, but acknowledged the heavy cost in Israeli lives.

Trump’s ceasefire plan “brings all our hostages home,” “ends the war by achieving all our objectives,” and “opens the door to an historic expansion of peace in our region and beyond our region,” Netanyahu said.

Before Netanyahu's address praising Trump, the speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana, gave a speech lauding the US president, saying that there is “no one more deserving” of the Nobel Peace Prize than Trump, telling him that that Israel will nominate him for the award next year.

Ohana thanked Trump repeatedly for his support of Israel, including during the country’s 12-day war with Iran earlier this year, as well as his efforts in achieving the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

“Thousands of years from now, Mr. President, the Jewish people will remember you. We are a nation that remembers,” he said, noting that there is “not a single person on this planet who did more than you to advance peace.”

Ahead of Netanyahu's address, Trump received a standing ovation from Israeli lawmakers ahead of his address to parliament during his brief visit to Jerusalem 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.

The historic moment came as the final 20 surviving Israeli hostages returned on Monday from Gaza to Israel in two separate groups, as part of a deal for the Palestinian territory.

Trump's lightning visit to Israel came ahead of a summit in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh co-chaired by the American president, who has declared the war in Gaza "over".

In Tel Aviv, a huge crowd which gathered to support hostage families erupted in joy, tears and song as news broke of the first hostage releases, though the pain for the loss of those who had not survived was palpable.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel is due to release nearly 2,000 prisoners held in its jails.

Under the ceasefire agreement, Hamas is also due to return the bodies of the 27 hostages who died or were killed in captivity, as well as the remains of a soldier killed in 2014 during a previous Gaza conflict.

Among those Israel was due to release in exchange are 250 security detainees, including many convicted of killing Israelis, while about 1,700 were detained by the Israeli army in Gaza during the war.