US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire agreement marked the end of Israel's war in Gaza, but also "the end of an era of terror and death." Speaking before the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, Trump declared that the world was entering an "era of faith, hope and God."
"This is not just the end of war. This is the end of an era of terror and death and the beginning of an era of faith, hope and God," Trump said, according to the Guardian.
"This is the beginning of a great agreement and lasting harmony for Israel and all the peoples of the region that will soon become truly magnificent. I believe in it – strongly. This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East."
"The dagger of Hezbollah has been broken"
Speaking about the situation in Lebanon, Trump declared that "Hezbollah's dagger, pointed at Israel, has been completely broken."
“My administration actively supports the new president of Lebanon and his mission to permanently disarm the Hezbollah brigades,” he said.
Although a ceasefire was signed between Israel and Hezbollah in 2024, Israeli forces have continued occasional attacks on southern Lebanon, claiming that Hezbollah is trying to rearm after heavy losses in the war.
In early October, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, called for renewed efforts for lasting peace in Lebanon, stating that 103 civilian deaths have been confirmed in the country since the signing of the ceasefire.
The Lebanese government originally planned to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year, but due to a lack of resources, the deadline was extended – the priority is to clear the area south of the Litani River by the end of November, after which new phases would follow.
"The long and painful nightmare is over"
Trump said during his address to the Knesset that the two-year war in Gaza "has been a painful nightmare" for Israel.
"From October 7th (2023) until this week, Israel was a country at war, bearing a burden that only a proud and faithful people can bear. For many families, these have been years without a single day of true peace... A long and painful nightmare is finally over," the US president said.
Trump stated that "after two horrific years of captivity by Hamas, twenty brave hostages are being returned to their families," while "another 28 killed" will be buried "in this holy land."
"The guns have fallen silent," Trump said. "The region is now at peace - and I hope it stays that way forever."
Trump, as reported by Reuters, said that the recently reached agreement came at the right time, as Israeli military operations were becoming "bad and heated."
"I said, Bibi, you're going to be remembered for this much more than if you just kept going on and on and on — killing, killing," Trump said, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"I just want to congratulate you on having the courage to say: 'enough is enough, we won, and now let's enjoy life'."
With uncertainty over who will govern Gaza (without Hamas), Trump said this was an opportunity for the Palestinians to "turn forever from the path of terror," the Guardian reports.
"This is their opportunity to turn forever from the path of terror and violence - which was extreme - to banish the evil forces of hatred that are among them, and I think that will happen," he said.
"I've met some people over the last few months who want that to happen. And after the enormous death, pain and suffering, now is the time for them to focus on building their people instead of trying to tear down Israel."
He wants a peace deal with Iran.
Trump says he wants a peace deal with Iran, after the United States joined Israel in attacking Iranian nuclear facilities during a brief war this summer.
"They got it good on both sides, and you know, it would be great if we could make a peace deal with them," Trump said.
"Would you be happy about that? Wouldn't it be nice, I think. Because I think they want it."
The United States, its European allies and Israel accuse Tehran of using its nuclear program as a cover for attempts to develop weapons capabilities. Iran says its nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes.
Before Israel's 12-day war with Iran in June, Tehran and Washington held five rounds of nuclear talks but faced major obstacles, such as uranium enrichment on Iranian territory, which Western powers want to bring to zero.
Praise for Netanyahu and American collaborators
Trump said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had "called him countless times" asking for weapons:
"So many times that Israel became strong and powerful... and that is what brought peace."
The US president also praised special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner, who brokered the Gaza ceasefire agreement that led to the hostages' release, reports the Guardian.
He also thanked Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a former Republican presidential primary rival, as well as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and military veteran.
The incident at the Knesset
Trump's speech was briefly interrupted by a left-wing lawmaker who was holding up a piece of paper saying "Recognize Palestine."
Security quickly escorted him out, and the Knesset Speaker apologized to Trump.
“Sorry about that, Mr. President,” he said.
"That was effective," Trump joked, drawing applause and shouts of "Trump" from Israeli lawmakers.
In the end, the US president called on Netanyahu to stand up, saying that he was "not the easiest man to work with, but that's exactly what makes him great."
Urged Herzog to pardon Netanyahu
Trump has called on Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is on trial for alleged corruption, Reuters reports.
Speaking in parliament, Trump said, “Cigars and a little champagne — who the hell cares?”, alluding to fraud charges leveled against Netanyahu, which he denies.
"Turning victories into peace"
Reuters previously reported that Trump would say in a speech to lawmakers that the countries' work together to achieve peace under the Gaza deal represents "an incredible triumph for Israel and the world."
In excerpts from the speech, published by the agency, Trump said that Israel had "conquered everything that can be conquered by force of arms."
He added that it was time to turn what he described as "victories against terrorists" into peace and prosperity for the Middle East.
"From Gaza to Iran, hatred has brought nothing but misery, suffering and failure," he said. "Despite all the predictions, we did the impossible and brought our hostages home."
Trump added that Iran "has always been extended a hand of friendship and cooperation," Reuters writes.
Netanyahu claims he is committed to peace
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a speech in the Knesset, said he was committed to peace.
He praised Trump for helping broker the first phase of the Gaza deal, which saw the release of all living Israeli hostages.
"Peace under Trump's leadership will come sooner than people think," Netanyahu said, according to Reuters.
"Hamas will adhere to the disarmament plan"
Trump arrived in Israel this morning, and after his speech in parliament, he will travel to Egypt for a peace summit for Gaza.
"Everybody wants to be part of peace," Trump said, as reported by Reuters.
"The war is over. This is a great day, a new beginning," he told reporters in parliament, insisting that Hamas would adhere to the plan to disarm the militant group.
He was welcomed at Ben Gurion Airport by Israeli Prime Minister and President Benjamin Netanyahu and Isaac Herzog.
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