Hope and applause filled the air as President Donald Trump stood before Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, on Monday morning.
His message was one of victory and new beginnings — a promise that the long and painful conflict in Gaza had finally reached its end.
For the first time in two years, there was a genuine sense that peace might be within reach.
As Trump looked across the chamber, he declared confidently, “You’ve won. And now you can build and do things you never thought possible.”
The room erupted in cheers, with lawmakers chanting his name and giving him a standing ovation that lasted nearly three minutes.
Trump Declares “The Dawn of a New Middle East”
Trump called the day “the historic dawn of a new Middle East,” describing a future filled with hope, faith, and prosperity after decades of war and fear.
“This is not just the end of a war,” he said passionately.
“It’s the end of an age of terror and death — and the beginning of an age of faith and hope and of God.”
He painted a vivid picture of a region reborn: “As the dust settles, the smoke fades, and the ashes clear, a brighter day breaks — and a transformed Middle East stands before us.”
The Peace Deal That Changed Everything
Trump’s visit to Israel coincided with a major breakthrough — the release of 20 Israeli hostages who had been held by Hamas since the invasion two years earlier.
In return, Israel freed nearly 1,900 Palestinian prisoners as part of the U.S.-brokered peace deal.
For many, it was a defining moment that rebranded Trump from a New York dealmaker into a global peacemaker.
Even his critics couldn’t deny the magnitude of the achievement.
A Standing Ovation for the “Peace President”
The atmosphere in the Knesset was electric.
Israeli officials and citizens alike hailed Trump as a hero, with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana proclaiming, “You, President Donald J. Trump, are a colossus.
Thousands of years from now, the Jewish people will remember you.”
Ohana went as far as to compare Trump to Cyrus the Great — the ancient Persian ruler who allowed the Jewish people to return to their homeland.
He even announced plans to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, calling him the most deserving candidate of all.
As Trump sat beside Ohana, members of the audience waved red caps reading “Trump the Peace President,” while his daughter Ivanka, her husband Jared Kushner, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff received roaring applause for helping shape the agreement.
Questions About a Fragile Ceasefire
Despite the celebrations, doubts still linger.
A senior Hamas official told AFP that the group would not give up its weapons, calling disarmament “non-negotiable.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while praising the ceasefire, made it clear that Israel would resume military operations if Hamas broke its promises.
Trump acknowledged that Netanyahu could be “a tough man to work with,” but he praised the prime minister’s patriotism and resolve.
“You can’t beat the world,” Trump said, recalling a private exchange with Netanyahu.
Still, Trump repeated several times that “the war is over,” while Netanyahu chose more cautious wording.
From the War Zone to the Peace Table
While Trump spoke, emotions ran high across Israel.
In Tel Aviv, thousands gathered at “Hostages Square” to celebrate the release of the captives.
Many were crying, others were dancing, and a massive clock displaying the 737 days of captivity loomed over the crowd.
Every time Trump’s name appeared on TV screens, cheers erupted as if welcoming a national hero.
Activists even built a massive art installation on Tel Aviv’s beach near the U.S. Embassy — spanning three football fields — with the words “thank you” and “home,” alongside a profile of Trump in blue and yellow.
A Peace Summit on the Horizon
Trump’s next destination is Egypt, where world leaders are gathering for a peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh.
The goal: to rebuild Gaza and chart a path toward lasting stability.
Leaders from across the globe — including those from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, France, the U.K., and the U.N. — are expected to attend.
Interestingly, Netanyahu declined his invitation, citing a scheduling conflict with a Jewish holiday, though many speculate it was a strategic decision.
Trump’s Broader Vision for Peace
Before boarding Air Force One, Trump spoke briefly with reporters, saying it was “an honor” to help broker peace and promising that rebuilding Gaza would begin “immediately.”
He admitted the process would take time but described it as “the first chance in centuries” for the region to experience true peace.
Trump revealed plans to form a “Board of Peace” to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, hinting that former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair might be involved.
“We’re moving fast,” he said, noting that many world leaders have already expressed interest in joining the initiative.
Netanyahu’s Message to Israel
That same night, Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the nation, calling the day “the beginning of a new path.”
He told families of the released hostages that their courage had inspired the nation, adding, “Together we will continue to win, and with the help of God, we will guarantee the eternity of Israel.”
Despite his cautious tone, Netanyahu’s remarks reflected cautious optimism — a belief that this peace deal could mark the start of a lasting transformation in the Middle East.
What Comes Next?
With the ceasefire holding and world leaders converging to discuss reconstruction, attention now shifts to whether this fragile peace can endure.
Will Hamas uphold its promises? Will Israel trust enough to rebuild without fear of another attack?
Trump, for his part, seems determined to keep pushing forward — not only in the Middle East but also with what he calls his next mission: “getting Russia done” and bringing an end to the war in Ukraine.
For now, though, one thing is clear — the Middle East stands at a turning point, with history watching closely to see if this moment truly becomes the dawn of a new era.