Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
donald trump arrived in israel to meet returning families hostages On Monday, Hamas released its first prisoners Armistice agreement brokered by America,
us President Landed at Ben Gurion International Airport at 9.45am local timemet the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.
Speaking to reporters behind Air Force One, Trump praised its role in the armistice agreement, saying People were “dancing in the streets”, He ignored a question about the crowd criticizing Netanyahu in Israel on Saturday.
“Everyone is happy, whether it is Jews or Muslims or Arab countries, every country is dancing in the streets,” he said. “It’s a time I don’t think you’ll ever see again. They’ve never seen it in 3,000 years.”
Israel rolled out the red carpet for the US president, who briefly welcomed Israeli officials on the tarmac as a military band played before leaving in a large motorcade.
Prominent US figures who met him there included special envoy Steve Witkoff, adviser Jared Kushner and Trump’s daughter Ivanka.
Trump expected to meet families of hostages He met with Netanyahu in the Knesset before addressing the Israeli parliament and leaving early Monday afternoon.
When he addresses Israel’s parliament he will be welcomed as a hero. Red “MAGA-style” hats branded “Trump the Peace President” were handed out ahead of his address on Monday, Politico reported.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Trump would also be honored with Israel’s highest civilian honor later this year.
Later on Monday, Trump will co-host a peace summit of more than 20 world leaders with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Sharm el-Sheikh.
The visit comes as Hamas said on Monday it had handed over all surviving hostages in line with a fragile ceasefire agreement signed with Israel last week.
Trump heralded progress toward peace while visiting Israel, although details remain unclear and steps have yet to be agreed upon.
He Said His so-called peace board will be set up “very soon” to help govern Gaza.
He also spoke to reporters about the possibility of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s role in overseeing a transitional government in Gaza.
“First I want to find out whether Tony will be popular because I don’t know that,” the US president told reporters on Air Force One.
“I like Tony, I’ve always liked Tony, but I want to know that he’s an acceptable choice for everyone.”
“The war is over,” Trump told reporters as he flew from Washington to Israel on Sunday. Asked about the region’s prospects, he said, “I think it’s going to be normal.”
As Trump disembarked from Air Force One on Monday, a convoy of vehicles carried the first hostages released by Hamas as part of the deal to Israel.
The first phase of the deal includes the release of 48 people captured during the two-year conflict, which erupted during Hamas incursions into southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
Progress towards lasting peace now depends on global commitments that can be taken in the Sharm el-Sheikh resort.
Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Egypt on Sunday ahead of the summit. Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel would not send any representative.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday it expected the signing of a “document ending the war”. Gaza At the “historic” gathering in Egypt.
A ceasefire came into force on Friday with the withdrawal of Israeli forces to an agreed line in Gaza, opening the way for thousands of displaced Palestinians to begin the long march.
The implementation of the ceasefire gave Hamas 72 hours to release all living and dead hostages under the agreement.
Follow for more on this breaking news story….