Netanyahu Hails Trump As Israel Begins U.S.-Brokered Ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel's commitment to peace during a joint address with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Knesset in Jerusalem on Monday, October 13, 2025. The speech came after the release of 20 surviving Israeli hostages held by Hamas, marking the official start of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire aimed at ending nearly two years of devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Netanyahu called the occasion "a day of renewed hope," praising Trump's "pivotal leadership" in securing an agreement supported by "almost the entire world." He underscored that Israel's key objectives had been achieved: all hostages have been returned, and security along Gaza's borders remains intact. "The people of Israel have suffered deeply, but today we take a step toward peace and healing," Netanyahu told Israeli lawmakers.

The ceasefire, part of Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan, also includes the release of the remaining 48 Israeli hostages, the liberation of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and the reopening of border crossings to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. Under the agreement, Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from Gaza's major urban centers, while U.S., Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish mediators oversee the truce and lay the groundwork for long-term governance of Gaza.

President Trump hailed the deal as "the dawn of a new Middle East," stating, "The war is over - people are tired of it." He is scheduled to travel next to Egypt's Sharm El-Sheikh to attend an international summit on postwar reconstruction and governance of Gaza, which is expected to include over 20 nations.

The announcement sparked public celebrations across Israel, with families in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem lighting candles and waving flags to welcome the hostages home. Despite the optimism, questions remain regarding the future of Gaza's administration and Hamas's role following the truce. Netanyahu emphasized that while peace has been restored, Israel "will remain vigilant" to prevent any renewed aggression.