Trump Addresses Israeli Parliament After Historic Gaza Peace Deal Secures Hostage Release

In a landmark moment for Middle East diplomacy, President Trump addressed the Israeli Knesset on Monday following the successful implementation of a comprehensive peace deal that secured the release of all remaining living Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity. The historic agreement, brokered by the Trump administration, culminated in Hamas handing over the final 13 hostages as part of a ceasefire arrangement that has brought temporary calm to the Gaza Strip after months of conflict.

The Final Hostage Release

The Israeli military confirmed early Monday that the last 13 living hostages had been returned to Israeli territory after being freed by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. According to CBS News reports, the hostages included Matan Tsengauker, Maxim Harkin, Segev Kalfon, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, Nimrod Cohen, Avinantan Or, Eviatar David, Eitan Horn, David Kunio, Ariel Kunio, Elkana Buchbot, Bar Kuperstein and Rom Breslavsky. The handover process occurred in multiple stages, with the first group of seven hostages transferred to Red Cross personnel in northern Gaza before being escorted to Israeli forces.

Trump's Knesset Address

President Trump's speech to the Israeli parliament marked a ceremonial capstone to the diplomatic achievement. "This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East," Trump declared to assembled lawmakers. "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." The president emphasized that the cruelty of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks "struck to the core of humanity itself" and pledged America's continued support for Israel's security.

Call for Palestinian Reform

In his remarks, Trump delivered a direct message to Palestinians, urging them to "turn forever from the path of terror and violence." He stated, "The choice for Palestinians could not be more clear. This is their chance to turn forever from the path of terror and violence that's been extreme, to exile the wicked forces of hate that are in their mix." The president emphasized that after "tremendous pain and death and hardship, now is the time to concentrate on building their people up instead of trying to tear Israel down."

Political Reactions and Interruptions

The historic moment was briefly interrupted when two Israeli lawmakers held up "Recognize Palestine" signs during Trump's speech. Arab-Israeli lawmaker Ayman Odeh and far-left politician Ofer Cassif were ejected from the parliament after their protest. Both lawmakers later defended their actions on social media, with Odeh stating, "They removed me from the plenum just because I raised the simplest demand, a demand that the entire international community agrees on: To recognize a Palestinian state."

Ceasefire Implementation

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into effect at noon local time on Friday, with Israel completing a pullback of its military troops to a pre-approved line in the Palestinian territory. As part of the agreement, Israel is expected to release approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences and about 1,700 others detained since the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack. The first Palestinian prisoners arrived in the West Bank on Monday, where they were greeted by cheering crowds in Ramallah.

Regional Implications

The successful implementation of the peace deal represents a significant diplomatic achievement for the Trump administration and signals potential for broader regional stability. President Trump is scheduled to travel to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for a Middle East peace summit where the agreement is expected to be formally signed. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has announced plans to award Trump Egypt's highest state honor, the "Order of the Nile," in recognition of his "pivotal role in halting the war in Gaza."

The hostage release and ceasefire arrangement mark a critical turning point in the Israel-Hamas conflict, though significant challenges remain in achieving lasting peace. The return of tens of thousands of Palestinians to northern Gaza, where many are finding their homes reduced to rubble, underscores the immense reconstruction and humanitarian challenges ahead. However, the successful implementation of this initial agreement provides a foundation for continued diplomatic efforts toward comprehensive regional stability.