Donald Trump in the Knesset. “This is the end of the era of terror.” Summary of events in the Middle East
Donald Trump spoke in the Knesset
— After two terrible years, the hostages return to their families. They returned to hallowed ground. So many years of war have passed. Today the sun rises, there is silence and it is finally a peaceful country, and God wants peace for eternity, said the US president during his speech in the Knesset. — It's not just the end of the war. This is the end of an era of terror and death. This is the beginning of an era of peace and hope. This is the beginning of harmony between Israel and other nations that will soon make it a fantastic region, he added.
— We are not looking for war, but when we are in it, we win it. We seek peace through strength. The US has the largest and greatest army in history. We have weapons that no one has dreamed of. I rebuilt the American military. I did it with pride. We must have the best weapons in the world, said the US president.
More on Donald Trump's Knesset speech.
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Hamas released the hostages
Earlier, on Monday morning, in accordance with the agreement concluded with Israel, the Palestinian terrorist organization that rules the Gaza Strip released 20 living hostages that it had kidnapped during the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. First, after 7, International Red Cross workers picked up the first seven people, then the remaining hostages were released. Crowds of people were waiting for them in Israel.
The people released by Hamas are: Bar Kuperstein, Avitar David, Yosef Chaim Ohana, Segew Kalfon, Awinatan Or, Elkana Buchbut, Maxim Harkin, Nimrod Cohen, Matan Tzangauker, David Cunio, Eitan Horn, Matan Angerst, Eitan Mor, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, Alon Ohel, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Roma Breslawsky and Ariel Cunio.
The hostages receive a special welcome package from the Israeli authorities. According to the prime minister's office, it contains a message from Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara.
However, Netanyahu will not go to Egypt
After Trump's visit to Israel ends, the American president will travel to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt, where a peace summit will be held with the participation of leaders of Arab countries and some European leaders.
Binyamin Netanyahu was not supposed to take part in the summit, but around noon, information appeared in the Israeli media that the Israeli prime minister, after talking to Trump, had changed his mind and his plans. Ultimately, however, as the Egyptian government said, Netanyahu is not going to Egypt, citing his duties in the country.
Pressure on Hamas from Arab countries
— Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye are putting pressure on the Palestinian Hamas to disarm, said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Monday. He added that after the implementation of the peace agreement in the Gaza Strip, consideration will be given to resuming German arms exports to Israel.
In an interview with the Deutschlandfunk radio station, Wadephul said that the greatest motivation for the Palestinians to turn away from Hamas is the realistic prospect of establishing their own state and the chance to rebuild the devastated Gaza Strip.
Israeli minister: we will continue to be vigilant
The Israeli Minister of Defense also spoke today about the war in the Gaza Strip.
“On the day when the State of Israel joyfully welcomes our kidnapped people returning from Hamas captivity, we look at this important moment with great pride. In the Gaza Strip, we will build a reality in which Hamas will be disarmed, the territory will be cleared of tunnels and terrorist infrastructure, and the Israeli armed forces will protect the settlements in Gaza” – wrote Israel Kac in a letter to Israeli soldiers.
“The challenges we face are not over: We will continue to vigil – with determination, wisdom and decisiveness – in all areas to ensure that what happened on October 7 never happens again,” wrote the Israeli Defense Minister.
Donald Trump will be honored
Meanwhile, the spokesman for Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi announced that a decision had been made to award Donald Trump the Order of the Nile, Egypt's highest decoration, reports Al-Arabiyya TV. The US president, who will travel to Egypt today, is to be rewarded for his efforts to promote peace in the Gaza Strip.
