President Donald Trump on Monday celebrated a “new chapter” for the Middle East before addressing the Israeli parliament, as Hamas released 20 Israeli hostages who had been held in Gaza.
Trump arrived in Israel Monday morning to coincide with the exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners between Israel and Hamas.
“This is my great honor — a great and beautiful day. A new beginning,” Trump wrote in a guest book.
The release of the captives marked progress in the efforts to resolve the conflict that erupted with the Oct. 7, 2023, assault by Hamas militants. In return, Israel began freeing around 2,000 Palestinians, including 250 individuals identified as terrorists.
During his address, Trump is expected to highlight that “Israel has achieved all possible victories through military strength” and emphasize the necessity of transforming these triumphs over terrorism into enduring peace and prosperity.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks before the Knesset as President Donald Trump and Amir Ohana, the Knesset Speaker, watch at the Knesset, Israel’s legislative body, on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Jerusalem. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool via AP)
As a message to Iran, which engaged in a short conflict with Israel earlier in the year, Trump plans to affirm that “the offer of friendship and collaboration remains open.”
Following his stop in Israel, the president will head to Egypt, where he is set to join Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi in leading a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh with leaders from over 20 nations, focusing on peace in Gaza and the wider Middle East.
