- Trump Arrives in Israel, Set to Address Parliament on Gaza Ceasefire
- Seven hostages released as ceasefire holds under new peace plan.
- Israel and Hamas begin prisoner and detainee exchange process.
United States President Donald Trump has arrived in Israel for a high-level visit, where he is expected to address the Israeli parliament before proceeding to Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh for a world leaders’ summit focused on ending the war in Gaza.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Trump was received at Ben Gurion Airport by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his wife Sara, and US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who played a major role in mediating the recent ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Israel, Trump declared that “the war is over,” expressing optimism that the ceasefire would hold. He added that a “Board of Peace” would soon be established to oversee reconstruction efforts in Gaza, describing the territory as looking like “a demolition site.”
He also commended Netanyahu and Qatar for their efforts in facilitating the peace agreement.
According to reports, Hamas has released seven hostages into the custody of the Red Cross as part of the first phase of the deal. The deadline for releasing all remaining hostages is midday local time (10:00 BST).
The announcement of the first releases sparked widespread jubilation in Israel, as families of the captives gathered in hope. While the identities and conditions of the freed hostages have not yet been officially confirmed, Israeli media reported that they are now under Red Cross supervision.
The conflict, which began with Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, left about 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage. In response, Israel’s military campaign has killed over 67,000 Palestinians, including more than 18,000 children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The current ceasefire, which began on Friday, forms the first phase of a 20-point peace plan brokered by Trump. Under the agreement, Israel will release about 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 Gaza detainees, while humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza are expected to increase.
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