“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,” Trump said to thunderous applause in the Knesset.
“This is not only the end of a war… This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East,” he added.
Trump, who described his personality as being “all about stopping wars,” received repeated standing ovations as he praised Israel’s resilience and strength during the conflict. “The hostages are back, it feels so good to say it,” he said, as lawmakers cheered. “Israel became strong and powerful, which led to peace.”
Trump claims lasting peace for Israelis, Palestinians
Further, Trump hailed the ceasefire as a turning point for both Israelis and Palestinians. “At last, not only for Israelis but also Palestinians, the long nightmare is finally over,” he said. “This is a very exciting time for Israel and the Middle East. The forces of chaos that have plagued the region are totally defeated.”
Addressing the Knesset in a tone part reflection, part boast, Trump framed his record in the Middle East as proof of his peace-oriented approach.
“When you settle eight wars in eight months, it really means you don’t like wars. Everyone thought I was going to be brutal. I remember Hillary Clinton said that I am going to war with everybody. She said that I have the personality of going to war. But I think my personality is about stopping wars,” Trump said, in a claim he has repeated in most of his addresses, since coming back to the Oval Office.
Trump also praised members of his administration present in Jerusalem, singling out US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“A man named Marco Rubio, who is also here — I have a prediction that he will go down as the greatest US Secretary of State in history. He is tough, he is always smart, and people respect him… We also have one young person who is Secretary of War, the former Secretary of Defence,” Trump said.
Israel-Hamas war: Trump’s visit coincides with hostages’ release
Trump’s visit was timed with a historic breakthrough: Hamas released the final 20 hostages held in Gaza, a key milestone in the ceasefire negotiations. US President Donald Trump was met with a standing ovation as Knesset officials lauded him, declaring, “The world needs more Trumps,” and endorsing him for next year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
Trump arrived in Israel aboard Air Force One, stepping onto a red carpet in Tel Aviv before heading to Jerusalem to address the Knesset, accompanied by his daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Parliament speaker Amir Ohana welcomed him: “Welcome to Jerusalem. Welcome to the Knesset. We’ve been longing for this day,” praising Trump as “a giant of Jewish history – one for whom we must look back two and a half millennia into the mists of time to find a parallel, in Cyrus the Great.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking alongside Trump, thanked him for his unwavering support, highlighting his role in securing a second hostage deal and advancing Israel’s interests. Netanyahu also cited Trump’s influence in Operation Rising Lion and Operation Midnight Hammer, and his recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
The hostages were freed in two batches. The first group of seven had already arrived at an IDF facility near Re’im for medical assessment, while 13 others were escorted via the Red Cross from southern Gaza’s Khan Younis. Among them were Elkana Bohbot, Avinatan Or, Yosef-Haim Ohana, and Ariel Cunio. “The commanders and soldiers of the IDF salute and embrace the returning hostages as they make their way home to the State of Israel,” the IDF said.
Trump’s speech at the Knesset coincided with the ceasefire framework discussions, which include releasing the remaining 48 hostages, freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and partial Israeli troop pullbacks. He is expected to travel to Egypt later on Monday to formalise the agreement.
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