US President Donald Trump addressed the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, describing it as a “historic dawn of a new Middle East” following his role in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This marks the first address by a US president to the Knesset since 2008. Trump characterized the day as one of “profound joy” after a challenging two years.
The ceasefire aligns with the recent release of 20 hostages held by Hamas, while Israel has announced the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners and over 1,700 others detained during military operations in Gaza. Additionally, Trump is scheduled to participate in a peace summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, with leaders including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
During his address, Trump referenced the significance of the occasion, stating it could signal the end of conflict and the beginning of a prosperous future for the region. He drew parallels to the optimism expressed during his previous presidency when Israel established agreements with several Arab nations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu introduced Trump and recognized his profound support for Israel, labeling him as the “greatest friend” Israel had in the White House. Netanyahu noted a shift in American policy toward Israel’s military actions coinciding with Trump’s re-election. He expressed gratitude for Trump’s assistance in securing the return of hostages taken during the October 7 attacks in southern Israel.
Earlier, Trump proclaimed that “the war is over” in Gaza, affirming that the ceasefire would hold. He plans to create a “board of peace” to manage the transition within the region. High-profile US officials accompanied Trump, and some lawmakers showed support through bespoke attire. However, not all Israeli lawmakers attended, indicating ongoing divisions regarding the continuation of military operations in Gaza.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c709jxxrrvlo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss