Trump Declares Gaza War Over as Hamas Frees All Israeli Hostages
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday declared the war in Gaza officially over after Hamas released all remaining Israeli hostages under a ceasefire deal brokered with U.S. mediation.
The Gaze reports this, referring to CNN.
Speaking to reporters outside Israel’s Knesset, Trump confirmed that the conflict had ended, saying the ceasefire agreement marked “a definitive end to the war.”
His visit to Jerusalem came as Israel confirmed that the second and final group of 13 hostages had been safely handed over to the Red Cross.
Earlier in the day, the militant group freed the first seven of 20 Israeli captives, fulfilling the initial terms of the truce reached last week with U.S., Egyptian and Qatari involvement.
According to The Times of Israel, Hamas no longer holds any living Israeli hostages; the transfer of the bodies of those killed will take place later.
The Israel Defense Forces and the Red Cross confirmed that all living hostages were being transported to Israeli authorities near the Gaza border.
Trump wrote in the Knesset’s guest book that it was “a wonderful and beautiful day – a new beginning,” before attending meetings with Israeli leaders.
The ceasefire is part of Trump’s 20-point “Gaza Peace Plan,” which envisions an international Peace Council to oversee Palestinian administration of the enclave and gradual Israeli troop withdrawal from about half of Gaza.
A “Peace Summit” is scheduled for later on Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where leaders from more than 20 countries are expected to discuss long-term stability in the Middle East.
In recognition of his mediation efforts, Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced that Trump will be awarded the country’s highest honor, the Presidential Medal, for helping “lay the foundations for a new Middle East based on security, cooperation and genuine hope.”
The medal will be presented to Trump later this year. It was last awarded to former U.S. President Joe Biden in 2022.
As The Gaze reported earlier, on October 9, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have signed the first phase of a peace agreement, marking what he described as a “historic and unprecedented event” aimed at bringing stability to the region.