US President Donald Trump has told cheering Israeli lawmakers that 'this is the historic dawn of a new Middle East', after helping to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. During the first such address by a US president since 2008, Trump said Monday was a 'day of profound joy' after 'two harrowing years'. Trump's address to the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, comes on the day that the last 20 living hostages held in the Palestinian enclave were released by Hamas.
Israel is releasing 250 Palestinian prisoners and more than 1,700 other Palestinians detained during the two-year military operations in Gaza. During a whirlwind trip to the region, Trump is also expected to attend a peace summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and other world leaders. After hearing politicians' chants of 'Trump, Trump, Trump' in the Knesset, the American president said the occasion would represent 'not only the end of a war' but also the possibility of a new age for 'what will soon be a magnificent region'.
Trump's suggestion that the region was on the dawn of a new era echoed the words he used when Israel signed landmark deals with several Arab states during his first presidency. Trump was introduced to parliament by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who saluted his counterpart's various acts of solidarity with Israel. Netanyahu remarked that Trump was the 'greatest friend' Israel had ever had in the White House. Trump went on to offer a tribute of his own to his counterpart, saying: 'He's not the easiest guy to deal with, but that's what makes him great.'
Also welcomed to the Knesset alongside Trump were other key US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Trump's audience, wearing caps reading 'Trump the Peace President', made evident their support, while parliamentary speaker suggested Trump was well-deserving of next year's Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel is releasing 250 Palestinian prisoners and more than 1,700 other Palestinians detained during the two-year military operations in Gaza. During a whirlwind trip to the region, Trump is also expected to attend a peace summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and other world leaders. After hearing politicians' chants of 'Trump, Trump, Trump' in the Knesset, the American president said the occasion would represent 'not only the end of a war' but also the possibility of a new age for 'what will soon be a magnificent region'.
Trump's suggestion that the region was on the dawn of a new era echoed the words he used when Israel signed landmark deals with several Arab states during his first presidency. Trump was introduced to parliament by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who saluted his counterpart's various acts of solidarity with Israel. Netanyahu remarked that Trump was the 'greatest friend' Israel had ever had in the White House. Trump went on to offer a tribute of his own to his counterpart, saying: 'He's not the easiest guy to deal with, but that's what makes him great.'
Also welcomed to the Knesset alongside Trump were other key US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Trump's audience, wearing caps reading 'Trump the Peace President', made evident their support, while parliamentary speaker suggested Trump was well-deserving of next year's Nobel Peace Prize.
