US President Donald Trump arrived in Israel on Monday, just as Hamas began releasing Israeli hostages under the newly brokered Gaza ceasefire.
Trump, who flew in from Washington aboard Air Force One, declared the end of the war while speaking to reporters during the flight. “The war is over,” he said, expressing optimism about the fragile truce that has brought cautious relief to the region, reports Israeli media.
Trump is expected to receive a grand reception when he addresses Israel’s parliament later in the day. President Isaac Herzog announced that Trump will be honoured with Israel’s highest civilian award later this year in recognition of his mediation efforts.
Following his engagements in Israel, Trump is scheduled to travel to Egypt to co-chair a Gaza peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
The summit aims to consolidate the ceasefire agreement and set a framework for long-term stability in Gaza.
His visit comes at a critical juncture, as both Israelis and Palestinians watch closely to see whether the peace deal can hold after months of intense conflict.
