It has already been reported that the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas this morning released the remaining 20 live hostages it seized in an attack on Israel two years ago, under a ceasefire agreement brokered by Trump, and Israel began releasing Palestinian terrorist prisoners today.
Under the agreement, Israel will release from its prisons approximately 1,700 Palestinians detained since October 7, 2023, and approximately 250 convicted terrorists, some of whom have been sentenced to life imprisonment.
People gather in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square to cheer the release of hostages. The US presidential plane flew over the square before landing at Tel Aviv airport.
After his speech to the Israeli parliament, Trump traveled to the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where a summit on peace in the Gaza Strip and the Middle East will be held. The summit will be attended by leaders of more than 20 countries.
Israeli lawmakers chanted his name as they welcomed Trump to parliament, and Trump declared that the Middle East was witnessing a historic dawn."Finally, not only for the Israelis, but also for the Palestinians, this long and painful nightmare is over," Trump said.
The US president declared that the ceasefire he helped broker was"the most difficult breakthrough of all, probably the most difficult breakthrough ever". He indicated that his next goal would be to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump's speech in the Knesset was briefly interrupted by an opposition member who held up a poster calling for the recognition of the state of Palestine, and at least one person was escorted out of the parliament chamber during the speech.
Trump's speech to parliament was announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who declared that Trump was the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.
Everything changed in the US attitude towards Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip when Trump returned to the US presidency, Netanyahu added.
The Israeli prime minister thanked Trump for his persistent help in securing the return of the remaining hostages.
The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip came into effect on Friday morning after Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of Trump's 20-point peace plan. The next phases have yet to be agreed.
Trump has announced that the ceasefire will be respected and a peace council to govern the Gaza Strip will be quickly established, indicating that he will lead the council.
Netanyahu assured parliament that he was committed to respecting this ceasefire.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump's son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner, accompanied by his wife Ivanka Trump, were also welcomed to the Knesset with applause.