Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump to Israel on Monday in a momentous display of diplomacy and celebration, following the release of the final 20 living Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The event, part of a historic U.S.-brokered peace deal, marks the most significant breakthrough in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in years and ushers in what leaders are calling “a new beginning.”
Trump, landing in Tel Aviv earlier in the day, received a red-carpet welcome at Ben Gurion International Airport from both Netanyahu and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The American president later addressed the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, where members of the audience wore red caps emblazoned not with his usual campaign slogan, but with the words: “Trump the Peace President.”
“This is my great honour. A great and beautiful day, a new beginning,” Trump wrote in the Knesset guestbook, standing beside Netanyahu. The two leaders later held private discussions and are scheduled to appear together again at the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt, where the Gaza agreement will be a central topic.
Hostage Release After 738 Days
Earlier Monday morning, as part of the ceasefire agreement brokered by Trump’s administration, Hamas released all 20 of the remaining living Israeli hostages captured during the October 7, 2023, attacks. The hostages, who had endured 738 days in captivity, were transferred to the Red Cross and returned to Israel in two groups.
The first group of seven included Matan Angrest, 22; twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, 28; Alon Ohel, 24; Eitan Mor, 25; Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24; and Omri Miran, 48. They were taken to a military base in Re’im near the Gaza border, where they were reunited with their families.
A second group of 13 arrived later in the day: Matan Zangauker, 25; Nimrod Cohen, 21; Ariel Cunio, 28; David Cunio, 35; Evyatar David, 24; Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 25; Elkana Bohbot, 36; Avinatan Or, 32; Bar Kupershtein, 23; Segev Kalfon, 27; Rom Braslabski, 21; Eitan Horn, 38; and Maxim Herkin, 37.
The families of those still missing were informed that Hamas has agreed to return the bodies of 28 deceased hostages. A joint Israeli-Palestinian task force is working to locate and recover the remains.
Video calls between newly released captives and their families have flooded social media and news networks. One emotional exchange showed Einav Zangauker speaking to her son, Matan: “You’re coming home all of you are coming home. There’s no more war,” she said tearfully.
A Hero’s Welcome
Trump’s arrival in Israel was met with a wave of public celebration. More than 65,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square as news of the hostage release broke. U.S. and Israeli flags flew in the streets, and images of Trump, including a massive sand sculpture on the beach reading “Thank You,” appeared across the country.
The American president, joined by his son-in-law and former White House advisor Jared Kushner and daughter Ivanka Trump, was visibly emotional as he met with Israeli officials and the families of the returned hostages.
In comments made aboard Air Force One en route to Israel, Trump declared the war “over,” praising the ceasefire’s stability and suggesting the region is ready to turn a page.
“Everybody is happy Jewish, Muslim, Arab countries every country is dancing in the streets,” he told reporters. “It’s a point in time. I don’t think you’ll ever see it again… I think people are tired of it. The ceasefire is going to hold.”
He even hinted at visiting Gaza personally, saying he would be “proud” to do so.
In a lighter moment, when asked whether such a peace deal might earn him a place in heaven, Trump joked: “I don’t think there’s anything that’s going to get me in heaven… But I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people.”
Netanyahu: ‘A Path of Healing and Unity’
In a televised address on the eve of the release, Prime Minister Netanyahu praised the deal and spoke directly to the Israeli people: “Tomorrow is the beginning of a new path. A path of building, a path of healing, and I hope a path of uniting hearts.”
Defence Minister Israel Katz echoed the sentiment, saying, “The State of Israel and the security establishment embrace our first seven hostages returning home. We await all of them with excitement and great love.”
International leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, also welcomed the breakthrough. “Today is the first, crucial phase in ending the war in the Middle East,” Starmer said, adding that the UK would increase humanitarian aid and support reconstruction in Gaza.
Starmer is among 20 global leaders expected to attend the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit, where Trump is due to arrive next. In preparation for his visit, Egyptian cities have displayed billboards bearing Trump’s image and messages of gratitude.
A Turning Point, But Fragile
While optimism is high, analysts caution that the path forward remains fragile. Deep-rooted tensions, political divisions, and unresolved grievances still loom over the peace process.
Nonetheless, Monday’s developments mark an extraordinary moment of unity, with Netanyahu and Trump standing together to celebrate what both men described as a decisive step toward ending decades of conflict.
As Trump put it: “This is a day of joy, a day of peace a day the world has waited a long time to see.”
