U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Israel on Monday to address the Knesset, becoming the first American president in years to speak before the Israeli parliament. His visit comes as the release of hostages from Gaza is underway, marking a critical moment in the U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal that aims to end one of the region’s deadliest conflicts in decades.

Hostage Release Underway

Seven Israeli hostages freed earlier today have undergone initial medical checks and reunited with family members before being transferred to hospitals, according to Israeli officials. Their release is part of the first stage of an extensive exchange that will eventually free all 20 remaining living hostages.

In parallel, hundreds of families in Gaza are waiting for the release of approximately 1,700 Palestinian detainees held in Israel since the October 7, 2023, attacks. Among them, 250 prisoners serving life sentences are expected to be released under the initial phase of the agreement.

The reciprocal releases are central to a wider ceasefire framework mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, which seeks to halt all hostilities and begin rebuilding Gaza.

Trump’s Visit and Address

Trump landed in Jerusalem early Monday and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before heading to the Knesset. His visit was tightly coordinated with the first wave of hostage releases — a symbolic move underscoring Washington’s direct involvement in ending the war.

Speaking before Israeli lawmakers, Trump hailed the ceasefire as a “new beginning for peace in the Middle East.”

“This is not just a truce,” he said. “It’s a turning point — the war in Gaza is officially over.”

As he walked through the Knesset, reporters asked if the war was “officially over.” Trump replied simply: “Yes.”

However, Netanyahu struck a more cautious tone, emphasizing that Israel’s military campaign had not concluded and that several points of Trump’s 20-step peace plan were still being negotiated.

Ceasefire Details and Next Steps

The U.S.-led ceasefire includes provisions for humanitarian aid corridors, international monitoring, and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. It also outlines a framework for post-war reconstruction under temporary international supervision.

Trump will next travel to Cairo, where leaders from over 20 nations are gathering for a regional summit to discuss Gaza’s future and the implementation of long-term stability measures.

A Fragile Calm

While Trump’s remarks signal optimism, analysts caution that the path to sustained peace remains uncertain. Sporadic clashes continue in parts of northern Gaza, and both Israeli and Palestinian officials acknowledge that trust between the sides is at an all-time low.

Still, Monday’s developments — the simultaneous release of hostages and detainees, the ceasefire’s enforcement, and Trump’s symbolic appearance at the Knesset — mark what many see as a historic inflection point in the decades-long conflict.

For the families of those freed, the day brought long-awaited relief. For the region, it may represent the fragile first step toward what Trump has called “a permanent end to endless war.”

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