Trump to be lauded in Israel as long-held hostages return house

[ad_1] Trump to deal with Israeli parliament amid fragile ceasefire Gaza captives to return, Palestinian prisoners to go free Summit in Egypt could search international peace commitments JERUSALEM/CAIRO, Oct 13 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump will obtain a hero's welcome in Israel's parliament on Monday as a fragile Gaza ceasefire he helped to dealer enters a fourth day, with the anticipated launch of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners marking tentative steps in a battle lengthy immune to decision. Trump's Knesset speech follows two years of conflict sparked by a Hamas assault on October 7, 2023, that killed round 1,200 individuals in Israel with 251 taken hostage. Israeli airstrikes and floor assaults have since devastated Gaza, killing greater than 67,000 Palestinians, the enclave's well being officers say.

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"The conflict is over," Trump advised reporters aboard Air Pressure One as he started his flight from Washington to Israel. Requested about prospects for the area, he mentioned: "I believe it should normalise."

The U.N. mentioned humanitarian help was ramping up, with cooking fuel coming into for the primary time since March and expanded meals and medical deliveries.

A LASTING PEACE SEEMS DISTANT The truce and the change of each hostages and prisoners supplied a glimmer of hope, however regardless of Trump's optimism, the lack of life, devastation and trauma underscored how distant an enduring peace stays. Progress now hinges on international commitments that might be taken up by a summit in a while Monday of greater than 20 world leaders led by Trump in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh resort.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will attend the summit in Egypt, an Axios reporter mentioned on Sunday, citing a senior Palestinian official. No Israeli officers will attend.

Israel expects the remaining hostages to start returning early on Monday, with 20 survivors to be launched collectively, adopted by the handover of 28 others — 26 lifeless and two whose destiny is unknown. The Israeli Justice Ministry launched the names of 250 Palestinians convicted of homicide and different critical crimes on account of be launched within the change. The listing excluded high-profile figures akin to senior Hamas commanders in addition to Marwan Barghouti and Ahmed Saadat - key calls for from Hamas. Talks over the ultimate listing had been ongoing, mentioned the Hamas prisoners data workplace. Additionally to be launched had been 1,700 Gazans detained since October 7, 2023.

On the bottom, Palestinians returning to northern Gaza described scenes of staggering destruction.

"We could not consider the devastation," mentioned Rami Mohammad-Ali, 37, who walked 15 km (9 miles) along with his son from Deir al Balah to Gaza Metropolis. "We're joyful to return, however bitter concerning the destruction," he added, recounting the sight of human stays scattered alongside the roads.

ISRAELIS BOO NETANYAHU, CHEER TRUMP Multitudes who gathered late on Saturday at Tel Aviv's Hostages Sq. cheered and waved placards in reward of Trump throughout a speech by his particular envoy Steve Witkoff however booed loudly when Witkoff sought to thank Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his position within the ceasefire effort.

Merchandise 1 of 6 Individuals stroll close to a U.S. flag hanging on a constructing, forward of an official go to by U.S. President Donald Trump, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Jerusalem October 12, 2025. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

[1/6] Individuals stroll close to a U.S. flag hanging on a constructing, forward of an official go to by U.S. President Donald Trump, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Jerusalem October 12, 2025. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun <a data-testid="Link" target="_blank" href="https://www.reutersconnect.com/item/ceasefire-between-israel-and-hamas-goes-into-effect/dGFnOnJldXRlcnMuY29tLDIwMjU6bmV3c21sX1JDMkFBSEFERk5PMQ%3D%3D/?utm_medium=rcom-article-media&utm_campaign=rcom-rcp-lead" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" rel="noopener" class="text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC link-module__with-icon__qlg76 collapsible-caption-module__license__CPQvV">Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab Trump will turn out to be solely the fourth U.S. president to deal with the Knesset, following Jimmy Carter in 1979, Invoice Clinton in 1994 and George W. Bush in 2008.

In a letter final week inviting Trump to ship a proper handle, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana wrote: "The individuals of Israel regard you as the best pal and ally of the Jewish nation in fashionable historical past."

Israeli critics of Netanyahu, together with hostages' households, accuse him of intentionally prolonging the battle to placate his far-right authorities coalition companions, whose backing is essential to his political survival. The Worldwide Felony Courtroom final 12 months issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu for alleged conflict crimes and crimes in opposition to humanity, which Israel denies.

"Tomorrow is the start of a brand new path. A path of constructing, a path of therapeutic, and I hope – a path of uniting hearts," Netanyahu mentioned in a televised assertion on Sunday.

The U.S., together with Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, mediated what has been described as a primary part settlement between Israel and Hamas. The following part of Trump's plan requires a global physique - a "Board of Peace" led by Trump.

Trump had mentioned earlier that Tony Blair may play a job on the board however on Sunday he questioned whether or not Blair, the previous British prime minister, can be acceptable given criticisms of his position within the Iraq Conflict. A lot could still go wrong . Additional steps in Trump's 20-point plan have but to be agreed. These embody how Gaza is to be dominated when combating ends, and the final word destiny of Hamas, which has rejected Israel's calls for that it disarm. The Hamas-run Inside Ministry mentioned it will deploy safety forces in areas the place the Israeli military withdrew. It was unclear whether or not armed militants would return to the streets in vital numbers, which Israel would see as a provocation.

TENSE NEGOTIATIONS OVER RELEASE OF PALESTINIAN PRISONERS Israel and Hamas had been locked in tense, albeit oblique, negotiations over the listing of Palestinian prisoners to be freed. Sources near Hamas mentioned Israel had backtracked on a beforehand agreed listing that included senior militant leaders, elevating fears of a breakdown within the fragile deal.

Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that after the hostages had been again, the army would proceed to destroy Hamas' underground tunnel community in Gaza.

Palestinian analyst Akram Attallah advised Reuters in Cairo the Trump plan had been crafted to favour Israel, permitting it to dictate phrases and shift blame.

"In the event that they select to backtrack, they'll discover excuses and blame Hamas. In the meantime, Hamas, the weaker social gathering, loses all leverage as soon as it arms over the hostages," Attallah mentioned.

Reporting by Alexander Cornwell in Jerusalem, Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo and Howard Goller in New York; Further reporting by Steve Holland in Washington and Michelle Nichols on the United Nations; Writing by Howard Goller; Enhancing by Edmund Klamann and Lincoln Feast.

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Purchase Licensing Rights Alexander has over a decade of worldwide reporting expertise. He's at the moment a senior correspondent in Jerusalem protecting Israel & the Palestinian Territories and was previously in Dubai the place he coated the Arabian Peninsula, together with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, typically writing about overseas coverage, safety and economic-related points.

A senior correspondent with practically 25 years’ expertise protecting the Palestinian-Israeli battle together with a number of wars and the signing of the primary historic peace accord between the 2 sides.