US President Donald Trump will receive a hero’s welcome in Israel’s parliament on Monday as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas enters its fourth day. The visit comes amid cautious optimism following the release of hostages and prisoners — the most hopeful development yet in a war that has left tens of thousands dead.
Ceasefire Takes Hold After Two Years of War
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes and ground operations have since devastated Gaza, where more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to local health officials.
As Trump departed Washington aboard Air Force One, he declared the conflict over.
“The war is over,” Trump told reporters. “I think it’s going to normalize.”
Humanitarian agencies confirmed that aid deliveries were increasing, including the first cooking gas deliveries to Gaza since March and expanded shipments of food and medical supplies.
Hopes for Peace Amid Deep Division
Despite the truce and prisoner exchanges, analysts warn that a lasting peace remains elusive. The extent of the destruction and human loss has left the region deeply scarred.
A high-level summit in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, will convene later Monday, bringing together more than 20 world leaders under Trump’s initiative. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will attend, but no Israeli officials are expected, according to a government spokesperson.
Hostage and Prisoner Exchanges Underway
Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian said the remaining hostages were expected to be released early Monday.
20 living hostages will be freed first.
The bodies of 28 deceased hostages will follow.
In exchange, Israel plans to release 1,700 Palestinian detainees, including 22 minors and the bodies of 360 militants—but only after its hostages are safely returned.
On the ground, Palestinians returning to northern Gaza described overwhelming devastation.
“We are joyful to return, but bitter about the destruction,” said Rami Mohammad-Ali, who walked 15 kilometers with his son to reach Gaza City. “Human remains were still scattered along the roads.”
Trump Cheered, Netanyahu Booed
At Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, crowds chanted in support of Trump during a speech by his special envoy Steve Witkoff—but booed when he mentioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump will become only the fourth US president to address Israel’s parliament, after Jimmy Carter (1979), Bill Clinton (1994), and George W. Bush (2008).
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana hailed Trump as “the greatest friend and ally of the Jewish nation in modern history.”
Netanyahu, facing intense domestic criticism, said in a televised address:
“Tomorrow is the beginning of a new path — of building, healing, and uniting hearts.”
Controversy Over Netanyahu and ICC Warrants
Netanyahu’s critics — including families of hostages — accuse him of prolonging the war to appease far-right coalition partners vital to his political survival. The International Criminal Court has issued warrants for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, which Israel rejects.
Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ Plan
The ceasefire was mediated by the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, forming the first stage of a broader Trump peace plan. The next phase envisions a “Board of Peace” — led by Trump and joined by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair — to oversee Gaza’s post-war reconstruction and governance.
However, key issues remain unresolved, including:
Who will govern Gaza after the fighting ends?
Whether Hamas will agree to disarm.
How Israel will respond to any Hamas resurgence.
The Hamas-run Interior Ministry said it would deploy security forces in areas vacated by Israeli troops. However, it remains unclear if armed militants will reappear — a move Israel considers a red line.
US President Donald Trump will receive a hero’s welcome in Israel’s parliament on Monday as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas enters its fourth day. The visit comes amid cautious optimism following the release of hostages and prisoners — the most hopeful development yet in a war that has left tens of thousands dead.
Ceasefire Takes Hold After Two Years of War
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes and ground operations have since devastated Gaza, where more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to local health officials.
As Trump departed Washington aboard Air Force One, he declared the conflict over.
“The war is over,” Trump told reporters. “I think it’s going to normalize.”
Humanitarian agencies confirmed that aid deliveries were increasing, including the first cooking gas deliveries to Gaza since March and expanded shipments of food and medical supplies.
Hopes for Peace Amid Deep Division
Despite the truce and prisoner exchanges, analysts warn that a lasting peace remains elusive. The extent of the destruction and human loss has left the region deeply scarred.
A high-level summit in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, will convene later Monday, bringing together more than 20 world leaders under Trump’s initiative. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will attend, but no Israeli officials are expected, according to a government spokesperson.
Hostage and Prisoner Exchanges Underway
Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian said the remaining hostages were expected to be released early Monday.
20 living hostages will be freed first.
The bodies of 28 deceased hostages will follow.
In exchange, Israel plans to release 1,700 Palestinian detainees, including 22 minors and the bodies of 360 militants—but only after its hostages are safely returned.
On the ground, Palestinians returning to northern Gaza described overwhelming devastation.
“We are joyful to return, but bitter about the destruction,” said Rami Mohammad-Ali, who walked 15 kilometers with his son to reach Gaza City. “Human remains were still scattered along the roads.”
Trump Cheered, Netanyahu Booed
At Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, crowds chanted in support of Trump during a speech by his special envoy Steve Witkoff—but booed when he mentioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump will become only the fourth US president to address Israel’s parliament, after Jimmy Carter (1979), Bill Clinton (1994), and George W. Bush (2008).
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana hailed Trump as “the greatest friend and ally of the Jewish nation in modern history.”
Netanyahu, facing intense domestic criticism, said in a televised address:
“Tomorrow is the beginning of a new path — of building, healing, and uniting hearts.”
Controversy Over Netanyahu and ICC Warrants
Netanyahu’s critics — including families of hostages — accuse him of prolonging the war to appease far-right coalition partners vital to his political survival. The International Criminal Court has issued warrants for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, which Israel rejects.
Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ Plan
The ceasefire was mediated by the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, forming the first stage of a broader Trump peace plan. The next phase envisions a “Board of Peace” — led by Trump and joined by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair — to oversee Gaza’s post-war reconstruction and governance.
However, key issues remain unresolved, including:
Who will govern Gaza after the fighting ends?
Whether Hamas will agree to disarm.
How Israel will respond to any Hamas resurgence.
The Hamas-run Interior Ministry said it would deploy security forces in areas vacated by Israeli troops. However, it remains unclear if armed militants will reappear — a move Israel considers a red line.
Dispute Over Palestinian Prisoner List
Sources close to Hamas said Israel backtracked on a list of prisoners slated for release, omitting several senior militants. The Israeli Justice Ministry confirmed that 250 Palestinians convicted of serious crimes would be freed, but excluded high-profile figures like Marwan Barghouti and Ahmed Saadat, both long-standing demands of Hamas.
Negotiations continued late Sunday to finalize the list, amid fears that disagreement could derail the ceasefire.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that once hostages are safely home, the army will resume operations to destroy Hamas’ tunnel network in Gaza.
Palestinian political analyst Akram Attallah, speaking in Cairo, said Trump’s plan heavily favors Israel.
“If Israel backtracks, it can blame Hamas. Hamas, being weaker, loses leverage once it releases hostages,” Attallah explained.
Sources close to Hamas said Israel backtracked on a list of prisoners slated for release, omitting several senior militants. The Israeli Justice Ministry confirmed that 250 Palestinians convicted of serious crimes would be freed, but excluded high-profile figures like Marwan Barghouti and Ahmed Saadat, both long-standing demands of Hamas.
Negotiations continued late Sunday to finalize the list, amid fears that disagreement could derail the ceasefire.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that once hostages are safely home, the army will resume operations to destroy Hamas’ tunnel network in Gaza.
Palestinian political analyst Akram Attallah, speaking in Cairo, said Trump’s plan heavily favors Israel.
“If Israel backtracks, it can blame Hamas. Hamas, being weaker, loses leverage once it releases hostages,” Attallah explained.
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