Israelis and Palestinians prepare for eventual hostage release
A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took place for three days ahead of the expected release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
President Donald Trump was scheduled to travel to Egypt on October 13 to commemorate the completion of the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and meet with several Middle Eastern and world leaders.
The visit coincided with the release of all 20 living Israeli hostages and the beginning of the release of about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners of war, as outlined in the first phase of President Trump’s 20-point peace proposal aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas war that has lasted more than two years. A ceasefire has been in place in Gaza since Friday, October 10, and as aid begins to trickle in, thousands of Palestinians are forced to head north toward devastated Gaza City, the epicenter of Israeli attacks over the past two months.
During his whirlwind visit to the ceasefire, President Trump is scheduled to address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, and then meet with several world leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where he will host a world leaders’ summit on ending the war in Gaza.
The Red Sea resort has been the site of intense talks over the past week between Hamas and Israeli representatives and international mediators in an effort to end the deadly conflict that has caused widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip and triggered multiple humanitarian crises.
Here are some key moments from President Trump’s trip to the Middle East.
President Trump writes ‘amazing and beautiful day’ in Congressional guest book
As President Trump entered Congress to give a speech, he greeted Israeli officials and signed their guestbooks.
“This is my great honor. A wonderful and beautiful day. A new beginning,” Trump wrote in his guestbook.
As the president entered Congress, he was flanked by his daughter Ivanka Trump, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Man expelled from Congress during Trump speech
President Trump’s speech to Congress drew much applause as he celebrated the peace agreement and praised his advisers and Israeli leaders. However, not everyone was happy.
The speech was temporarily suspended after two Israeli members of parliament were expelled from the chamber. The Times of Israel reported that one of them held up a placard that read “Recognize Palestine,” while another tried to hold up a placard.
“This was very effective,” Trump said as the individuals were quickly removed.
Trump jokes, Israeli leaders express praise
Barring a momentary interruption by a member of Congress, President Trump’s speech to the Israeli parliament had a triumphant and at times playful tone.
The president touched on the pronunciation of “Abraham” during the length of the Israeli lawmaker’s speech and cracked several jokes, leading to applause and choruses in places in the chamber.
Trump’s hour-long speech came after speeches by two members of Congress and the prime minister, prompting the US president to joke that he was behind schedule. Referring to a summit in Egypt later that day, he joked: “It’s going to be quite delayed. They might not have arrived by the time I get there.”
In a speech that switched between Hebrew and English, Israeli Parliament Speaker Amir Ohana praised President Trump, saying, “The world needs more of Trump.”
The U.S. delegation also received repeated applause from much of the chamber, including Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
‘Please grant him clemency’: President Trump weighs in on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s criminal case
In a departure from his prepared remarks in Congress, President Trump asked the Israeli president to pardon Netanyahu, who is facing three criminal charges.
“Mr. President, why don’t you pardon him?” Trump said to applause. “Please forgive him. Come on.”
Netanyahu has been charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust and is scheduled to testify in the case on October 15, the Jerusalem Post reported.
President Trump tells Iran: ‘We’re always ready’
President Trump used his speech in Congress to address Iran directly, saying he wants good relations with Iran even after the bombing of its nuclear facilities.
“To Iran… we are ready, and this will be the best decision Iran has ever made,” Trump said.
Israel also fought Iran during its two-year war in Gaza, with the United States also participating and bombing three nuclear facilities. Iran, Israel’s longtime adversary, could be the key to peace in the region.
“It would be great if we could get a peace deal with them,” Trump said of Iran, adding, “I think they want it. I think they’re tired.”
