In a landmark address to the Israeli Knesset, U.S. President Donald Trump hailed Monday as “a day of profound joy,” proclaiming it the “historic dawn of a new Middle East” following the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza and the start of a large-scale prisoner exchange.
Trump declared, “The hostages are back; it feels so good to say it,” describing the moment as “the end of an age of terror and death” and the beginning of transforming the Middle East into “a truly magnificent region.” He added, “It will be the golden age of Israel and the golden age of the Middle East.”
He thanked Arab nations for acting as “partners in peace” and applying pressure on Hamas to secure the release of the captives, while acknowledging key figures in the diplomatic process — U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff for his “tremendous negotiating skills” and his son-in-law Jared Kushner for his instrumental role in forging the Abraham Accords. Trump also lauded U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling him “the greatest secretary of state in the history of the United States.”
During his speech, a left-wing Knesset member was removed for interrupting proceedings — a moment that drew Trump’s humor: “That was very efficient.” The U.S. president received a standing ovation before and after his remarks, with lawmakers recalling his 2017 decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital as a milestone in U.S.-Israel relations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump as “the greatest friend Israel ever had in the White House,” crediting him for the recognition of Jerusalem, the Abraham Accords, and the peace proposal that secured the latest ceasefire. “This proposal achieves all our objectives,” Netanyahu said, affirming his commitment to peace.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana joined in the accolades, telling Trump, “You are the president of peace. No one else came close,” and revealed that Israel would support his nomination for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
Meanwhile, a bus carrying the first group of Palestinian prisoners freed as part of the exchange deal arrived in Gaza. Israel is set to release more than 1,900 prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences and over 1,700 detained following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. The exchange follows the return of 20 living Israeli hostages in two groups.
Despite the momentum for peace, Netanyahu’s office confirmed he will not attend the Gaza peace summit in Egypt, citing time constraints ahead of the Jewish holiday Simchat Torah, though he expressed gratitude to Trump for the invitation.
Together, these developments mark what Trump called “the historic dawn of a new Middle East” — a moment that may redefine the region’s future.
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