- Trump visited Tel Aviv and Sharm El-Sheikh after brokering a deal that ended the nearly two-year Israel-Hamas war and secured release of the final 20 living Israeli hostages.
- The landmark 20-point peace plan outlines Gaza demilitarization, prisoner exchanges, reconstruction overseen by a "Board of Peace," and regional commitments to stability.
TEL AVIV, Israel — President Donald Trump landed in Tel Aviv in the early hours of October 13, 2025, to thunderous applause from thousands gathered in Hostages Square, marking a triumphant capstone to his administration’s role in brokering an end to the Israel-Hamas war that ravaged Gaza for nearly two years.
The visit, Trump’s first to Israel since his second-term inauguration, centered on celebrating the release of the final 20 living Israeli hostages held by Hamas since the October 7, 2023, attacks, as well as laying the groundwork for Gaza’s reconstruction under a landmark 20-point peace plan.
With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by his side, Trump declared the conflict “over,” touting a “new dawn” for the Middle East amid emotional reunions and vows of regional stability.
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Trump’s Air Force One touched down at Ben Gurion Airport at 2:50 a.m. EDT, greeted by a phalanx of Israeli officials including President Isaac Herzog and Netanyahu.
The president wasted no time, heading straight to a private meeting with hostage families before addressing a joint session of the Knesset at 4:00 a.m. EDT. In his guest book entry, Trump scrawled: “This is my great honor. A great and beautiful day. A new beginning.”
His remarks, delivered to a packed chamber, were a masterclass in diplomacy and defiance, pausing briefly amid commotion when protesters were escorted out—prompting Trump to quip, “That was very efficient. So, back to Steve,” referring to his envoy Steve Witkoff.
“This is a great day,” Trump began, his voice booming through the hall. He recounted the hostages’ “harrowing” ordeal: “After two harrowing years in darkness and captivity, 20 courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their families… today the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still.”
Trump proclaimed, “This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East… the end of an age of terror and death and the beginning of the age of faith and hope.”
He credited his “personality” for the deal, noting, “The war is over,” and claimed to have settled “eight wars in eight months,” including this one.
On reconstruction, he promised: “It’s going to start really essentially immediately… Over the years, it’ll look very good.”
Netanyahu, speaking in English for the occasion, hailed Trump as “the greatest friend the state of Israel has ever had in the White House.” He thanked the president for the hostage efforts, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, forging the Abraham Accords, and authorizing U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
“Mr. President, you are committed to this peace… together… we will achieve this peace,” Netanyahu said.
He nominated Trump for Israel’s highest civilian honor, the Israel Prize, as the “first non-Israeli recipient,” adding, “When others were weak, you were strong.”
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana went further, announcing Israel’s intent to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2026, stating, “The world needs more Trumps.”
The chamber erupted in applause for Trump, Netanyahu, and U.S. officials like Hegseth, Rubio, and Kushner; Ivanka Trump received cheers upon entry.
The emotional core of the day was the hostage releases. Hamas handed over the final 13 living captives in phases via the Red Cross, following the first seven—Eitan Mor, Alon Ohel, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Omri Miran, and Matan Angrest—who crossed into Israel early Monday for medical checks and family reunions.
Videos captured heart-wrenching moments, like Omri Miran embracing his wife after over two years.
Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades affirmed: “We announce our commitment to the agreement… provided the occupation complies with them,” blaming Israel for past delays and noting the deal proved military pressure couldn’t free the hostages.
In exchange, Israel began releasing Palestinian prisoners from Ofer Prison, with buses arriving in Ramallah amid jubilant crowds.
The bodies of 28 deceased hostages are expected soon.
Trump, en route on Air Force One, described universal joy, stating, “Everybody is happy. Whether it’s Jewish or Muslim or the Arab countries, every country is dancing in the streets… They’ve never seen it for 3,000 years.”
He expressed confidence the ceasefire would hold, stating, “I think it’s going to hold… people are tired of it. It’s been centuries.”
From Tel Aviv to Sharm El-Sheikh: Formalizing Peace with Egypt
Trump’s itinerary shifted gears later Monday, departing Tel Aviv at 6:00 a.m. EDT for Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, arriving at 6:45 a.m. EDT for a 7:30 a.m. EDT Middle East Peace Ceremony with regional leaders.
Initial reports suggested Netanyahu would join, but his office confirmed he would skip due to the Simchat Torah holiday: “The Prime Minister thanked President Trump for the invitation but said he will be unable to attend due to time constraints… Thank you for your efforts to expand the circle of peace – peace through strength.”
The ceremony aims to formalize the 20-point plan’s first phase: Hostage/prisoner exchanges, immediate demilitarization of Gaza, Israeli withdrawal, Hamas disarmament, and transition to a “Board of Peace” overseen by the Palestinian Authority.
Trump discussed the board en route, stating, “Everybody wants to be a part… I’ve had calls from all of the leaders… First, I want to find out that Tony [Blair] would be popular with all.”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is expected to endorse the framework, with Arab leaders committing to security forces for Gaza’s handover.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid defended Israel’s role, stating, “There was no genocide, no intentional starvation… When you stand with Israel, you stand on the side of justice.”
Aid trucks—173 on October 12, including gas and diesel—began entering Gaza, though Hamas’ Government Media Office called quantities “very limited” and urged a “continuous flow.”
A Broader Middle East Vision: From Iran to Reconstruction
Trump’s speech wove in regional ambitions. He praised Netanyahu, stating, “He is not easy… but that’s what makes him great.”
On Iran, he said, “They want to survive… it’d be great if we could make a peace deal.”
He touted U.S. military aid: “We have weapons that nobody has ever dreamt of… We’ve given a lot to Israel.”
The deal’s next phases include Gaza’s reconstruction—”over the years, it’ll look very good”—and Hamas’ full disarmament, endorsed by “virtually the entire region.”
The visit caps months of shuttle diplomacy by envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who brokered the Abraham Accords in Trump’s first term.
Trump claimed the agreement proves “Israel… has won all that they can by force of arms… Now it’s time to… enjoy the fruits of your labor.”
Herzog welcomed him as a “colossus,” and the Knesset chamber thundered with applause for U.S. figures like Hegseth, Rubio, and Kushner.
As Trump returns to Washington by October 14, the focus shifts to implementation.
For the reunited families—like Miran’s tearful embrace—the day was joyous. For the region, it’s a fragile hope: Peace through strength, or a pause before the next storm?
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