By the Associated Press
Trump’s speech to Israel’s parliament was preceded by lengthy speeches from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Knesset speaker and the opposition leader.
Trump was mid-speech more than an hour after he was due to arrive in the Egyptian seaside resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss peace in the Middle East with other world leaders.
“I’ll be going there. I’ll be quite late,” Trump joked. “They might not be there by the time I get there but we’ll give it a shot.”
By the Associated Press
Trump’s speech to Israel’s parliament was preceded by lengthy speeches from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Knesset speaker and the opposition leader.
Trump was mid-speech more than an hour after he was due to arrive in the Egyptian seaside resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss peace in the Middle East with other world leaders.
“I’ll be going there. I’ll be quite late,” Trump joked. “They might not be there by the time I get there but we’ll give it a shot.”
By the Associated Press
Trump’s speech to Israel’s parliament featured many of his political greatest hits — anecdotes he relishes telling in nearly every address.
Diverting frequently from his prepared remarks about the ceasefire, Trump talked about his long friendship with Witkoff going back to the real estate business.
He mentioned how U.S. bombers that struck Iran were able to refuel in midair, and talked about how Gen. John Razin’ Caine once assured him he could beat back Islamic State forces in a matter of weeks.
Trump has since named Caine his chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
At one point, Trump urged Caine to stand, declaring: “This is a real general. This is not a television general.”As he continued to talk, Trump joked about running hours behind schedule, and laughed while blaming others who gave lengthy speeches before his started.
By the Associated Press
Amid his compliments toward the prime minister during his speech, the U.S. president had one friendly dig.
“Now you can be a little bit nicer, Bibi, because you’re not at war,” Trump said.
By the Associated Press
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank rejoiced as prisoners released in an exchange with Israel left Ofer Prison and arrived in Beitunia.
Waving flags and wearing keffiyehs, hundreds gathered outside the Ramallah Palace of Culture to greet them. Reports by human rights groups detailing conditions in Israeli detention have made Palestinian prisoners enduring symbols of their people’s struggle.
“It was an indescribable journey of suffering — hunger, unfair treatment, oppression, torture and curses — more than anything you could imagine,” said Kamal Abu Shanab, a 51-year-old Fatah member from Tulkarem.
His face gaunt and his head shaved, Abu Shanab’s family said they barely recognized him. He said he lost 139 pounds (59 kilograms) during 18 1/2 years in prison. Most prisoners were serving long sentences for their involvement in deadly attacks against Israelis.
By the Associated Press
The president saluted his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, for helping to broker the ceasefire and talked specifically about how much Kushner loves Israel.
He said Kushner “in fact, loves it so much that my daughter converted,” with a laugh.
Trump noted that his daughter, Ivanka Trump — who converted in 2009, before marrying Kushner — was among those in the audience.
He said of his daughter and Kushner, “They have a great marriage, and they get along great.”
By the Associated Press
The U.S. president’s remarks were briefly stopped when two members of the Knesset staged a protest were subsequently removed from the chamber.
Ofer Kassif and Aymen Odeh, members of the joint Hadash-Taal party, were escorted out. One had held up a small sign saying “Genocide.”
As they were being removed, other members of the Knesset chanted “Trump! Trump! Trump!”
Remarking on how quickly the protesters were removed, Trump noted: “That was very efficient.”
By the Associated Press
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh resort to attend a summit that is expected to endorse President Donald Trump vision for peace in the region.
Abbas was received by Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on Monday as world leaders began arriving for the meeting that will be co-chaired by Trump and el-Sissi.
By the Associated Press
The president began his remarks by praising “20 courageous hostages” who he said are “returning to the glorious embrace of their families. And it is glorious.”
Trump also saluted Israel’s prime minister for his role in the ceasefire agreement — but couldn’t help but offer a backhanded compliment, too.
“He’s not the easiest guy to deal with, but that’s what makes him great,” Trump said. “Thank you very much, Bibi. great job.”
By the Associated Press
The president took the podium after an address to the Israeli parliament by Netanyahu, which concluded with Trump getting up from his seat and shaking hands with the prime minister, before embracing him.
That embrace prompted chants of “Trump! Trump! Trump!”
Trump later started his own remarks by saying, “It’s a great honor” and calling the Knesset a “nice place.”
By the Associated Press
The Hostages Family Forum, which represents many of the hostage families, said they were “shocked and dismayed” that only four bodies of deceased hostages will be returned to Israel Monday.
Militants are holding a total of 28 bodies of deceased hostages in Gaza. The forum called it a “blatant violation of the agreement by Hamas,” and resolved not to give up until every hostage is returned.
By the Associated Press
“I’ve never seen anyone move the world so quickly, so decisively, so resolutely, as our friend Donald J Trump,” Netanyahu said in his speech, noting that he’s seen a lot of U.S. presidents because he’s been around for a long time.
Then, saluting the return of all remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, the Israeli prime minister said: “It’s a moment of indescribable joy.”
Netanyahu also told Trump, “You brought America back again, to the driver’s seat.”
By the Associated Press
Gaza’s Health Ministry says the bodies of 60 Palestinians have been recovered from under the rubble of destroyed buildings and brought to hospitals in the last 24 hours.
That brought the number of recovered bodies to 200 in the past four days since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect and Israeli troops pulled back from some parts of Gaza.
The ministry says many dead are still under the rubble, particularly in areas inaccessible to first responders.Israel’s campaign in Gaza killed more than 67,800 Palestinians, according to the health ministry. The ministry doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants but says around half of the dead were women and children.
By the Associated Press
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it declined an invitation to attend the Sharm el-Sheikh summit in Egypt, based on its interests as well as U.S. “unilateralistic policy.”
The spokesman for the ministry, Esmail Baghaei, told reporters that the decision came after discussion both inside the ministry and other decision-making bodies in the country. “Positive and negative dimensions of any decision including participation and avoiding participation were calculated and eventually led to a decision that secures betterments and interests of the country.”
By the Associated Press
He added: “Today, the Jewish calendar marks the end of two years of war.”
The ceasefire started on Friday and included the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for hostages. The later stages of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire are still being worked out.
By the Associated Press
The prime minister had been speaking to the Knesset in Hebrew, but said he wasn’t sure about how well the simultaneous translation might be working.
In English, he then listed off a string of Trump’s accomplishments going back to his first term before declaring, “Donald Trump is the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”
That prompted some in the audience to chant “Trump! Trump! Trump!”
“Mister president, you are committed to this peace,” Netanyahu continued. “I am committed to this peace, and together, mister president, we will achieve this peace.”
By the Associated Press
Amir Ohana promised to pair with Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and others to try and push for Trump to win the prize next year.
The U.S. president did not win a Nobel Prize this year. But he’s since noted that the decisions were largely made prior to his administration brokering the ceasefire deal in the Israel-Hamas war.
By the Associated Press
In remarks as he prepared to introduce Trump, Amir Ohana joked that the teleprompter was “working beautifully.” Trump was set to address the parliament in moments.
His remarks recalled the teleprompter not working properly during Trump’s recent speech to the United Nations General Assembly. Trump has since called for an investigation, while suggesting he may have been the victim of sabotage due to the teleprompter issues and an escalator that stopped working.
On a more serious note, Ohana said, “Mr. President, you stand before the people of Israel, not as another American president, but as a giant of Jewish history.”
“What the world needs now are more leaders who are brave, resolute, strong and bold,” he said. “The world needs more Trumps.”
By the Associated Press
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he is “profoundly relieved” that the Israeli hostages in Gaza have regained their freedom and will be reunited with their families after the “immense suffering” they have endured.
Guterres in a statement also reiterated his call for the release of the remains of the deceased hostages. The statement was issued from Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where world leaders were gathering to throw their weight behind the Gaza ceasefire deal.
“I urge all parties to build on this momentum and to honor their commitments under the ceasefire to end the nightmare in Gaza,” Guterres said. “The United Nations is working to support all efforts to end the conflict in Gaza and alleviate the suffering of civilians.”o fly to Egypt to participate in a summit with world leaders.
By the Associated Press
“Mr. President, I would like to thank you that you granted the Knesset the honor that it is the first parliament you are visiting in your present term,” Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana also told lawmakers.
Those in the chamber gave Trump a standing ovation. Trump responded by standing briefly himself.
By the Associated Press
Netanyahu’s office said Monday that he will not travel to Egypt for a summit on the Israel-Hamas war due to a Jewish holiday.
The statement came after Egypt’s presidency said Netanyahu would attend the summit.
The Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah ends the weeklong Sukkot holiday. It was on this holiday, two years ago, that Hamas launched the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that began the Israel-Hamas war. Jewish holidays run on a lunar calendar.
By the Associated Press
The president has entered the chamber of Israel’s parliament.
Sustained applause and blaring trumpets greeted Trump. The chamber was crowded with lawmakers but also U.S. officials — including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense.
Dan Caine, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, was also attending. Trump’s speech was set to begin far later than originally scheduled.
He met beforehand with the families of some of the hostages once held by Hamas in Gaza.Later on Monday, he was set to fly to Egypt to participate in a summit with world leaders.
By the Associated Press
The meeting took place at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, where Trump is set to begin speaking soon.
His time with the hostages was closed to independent media coverage.
Only Trump’s and Netanyahu’s government photographers were allowed in. A Trump aide posted a short video of the meeting prior to Trump’s speech, however.
It wasn’t immediately unclear whether Trump would be meeting with any of the hostages who were newly freed on Tuesday, as part of the U.S-brokered ceasefire agreement.
By the Associated Press
Israel is freeing more than 1,900 prisoners and detainees on Monday after Hamas released all remaining living hostages held in Gaza under the ceasefire deal.
By the Associated Press
According to excerpts released by the White House, Trump will insist that “Israel has won all that can be won by force of arms” and “it is time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity.”
In a gesture to Iran, which fought a brief war with Israel earlier this year, Trump plans to say that “the hand of friendship and cooperation is always open.”
By the Associated Press
Egypt’s foreign minister tells The Associated Press that the success of President Donald Trump’s vision for peace in the region is his continued commitment, including applying pressure on the parties, and “even deployment on the ground” of an international force expected to carry out peacekeeping duties.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said Monday it is crucial to ensure that Israel and Hamas fully implement the first phase of the ceasefire deal so that the parties, with international backing, can begin negotiations on the second phase. That “is more difficult, more complicated and we have to keep President Trump engaging. It is very, very important because it is all about his engagement.”
Abdelatty said for their part, Egypt and Jordan are scaling up their training of Palestinian security forces, which he said will eventually be supported by an international force to monitor the ceasefire and coordinate with Israel over its troop withdrawal.
By the Associated Press
A Hamas spokesman has welcomed Trump’s remarks that the war in Gaza is over.
Writing on the Telegram messaging app, Hazem Kassem urged mediators and the international community to ensure that Israel won’t resume the war.
By the Associated Press
According to excerpts released by the White House, Trump will use his speech to the Knesset to say that, “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.”
“This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East,” Trump’s prepared remarks say.
The president frequently diverts from his speech text as written. But his speech to the Israeli parliament is clearly meant to suggest that the ceasefire his administration helped broker could spark a deeper, lasting peace around a volatile region.
By the Associated Press
A convoy of Israeli vehicles, Red Cross jeeps and buses left Israel’s Ofer Prison for the occupied West Bank on Monday afternoon.
The buses carrying some of the 250 prisoners left after Israeli forces dispersed crowds on nearby hills with tear gas and sound grenades. The buses are headed to the center of Beitunia, the nearest Palestinian town, where friends and families await their arrival.
By the Associated Press
Israel’s military said Monday that all of the living hostages once held by Hamas had returned to Israel. The military made the announcement after the final group of 13 crossed the border.
Their return was a key part of the Israel-Hamas war ceasefire now being marked by a visit to Israel and Egypt by President Donald Trump. Israel is due to release over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal.