U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Knesset guestbook in Israel Monday following the release of all 20 living Israeli hostages as part of the historic peace deal he brokered between Israel and Hamas.
Waiting for his speech, audience members in the Israeli parliament wore red caps that, instead of displaying Trump’s signature slogan Make America Great Again, read: ‘Trump the Peace President.’
‘This is my great honour. A great and beautiful day, a new beginning,’ Trump wrote in the guestbook, standing next to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Newly freed Israeli hostages hugged one another in joy following their release from 738 days in captivity in Gaza.
Matan Angrest, 22, twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, 28; Alon Ohel, 24; Eitan Mor, 25; Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24; and Omri Miran, 48 were the first hostages to be handed over to the Red Cross this morning.
The group of seven was whisked away to a military base in Re’im, near Gaza, before they reunited with their families.
They were followed by a second group of 13 living hostages, who have also finally arrrived in Israel after more than two years in captivity.
The second group to return home included: Matan Zangauker, 25; Nimrod Cohen, 21; Ariel Cunio, 28; David Cunio, 35; Evyatar David, 24; Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 25; Elkana Bohbot, 36; Avinatan Or, 32; Bar Kupershtein, 23; Segev Kalfon, 27; Rom Braslabski, 21; Eitan Horn, 38; and Maxim Herkin, 37.
The bodies of 28 deceased hostages will be handed over later, a Hamas official said, as a task force works to locate their missing remains.
Trump touched down in Israel earlier today as Hamas began the release of hostages as part of the historic peace deal he helped broker.
U.S. President Donald Trump signs the guest book at the Knesset on October 13, 2025
The IDF released pictures showing the first hug between brothers, who were both kidnapped by Hamas
Released hostage Eitan Mor seen with an IDF representative after his release
In remarks made while on his way, the US president declared that ‘the war is over,’ citing the ceasefire as proof that the conflict in Gaza has entered a new phase.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was seen greeting Trump at the Ben Gurion International Airport.
The red carpet was rolled out for the American leader, who Netanyahu has described as a close friend.
Trump is set to receive a hero’s welcome when he addresses the country’s parliament later today.
Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who has been instrumental in his Israel policy, was also seen at the airport with his wife, Ivanka. After pleasantries were exchanged, the two leaders were seen in conversation as they left the airport together.
According to Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, Trump will also be awarded the country’s highest civilian honour later on this year.
Asked about his expectations for the region after securing the peace deal, he said: ‘I think it’s going to normalise.’
Trump also said he would be ‘proud’ to visit Gaza. Speaking before he arrived, he said: ‘Everybody is happy, whether it’s Jewish or Muslim or the Arab countries – every country is dancing in the streets.
‘It’s a point in time, I don’t think you’ll ever see it again. They’ve never seen it for 3,000 years.’ He added that it was the ‘first time that everybody is unified’.
He also said ‘there are a lot of reasons’ he believes the ceasefire will be a success. ‘It’s been centuries, not just recent, it’s been centuries,’ he said. ‘I think people are tired of it, the ceasefire is going to hold.’
A ceasefire between the two sides has held for days after the deal was signed, and Hamas agreed to the release of all hostages.
Meanwhile, pictures of the first batch of freed hostages were released by the Israeli Defence Forces.
Iraeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu greets Trump at the airport
Trump appeared in high spirits as he exited Air Force One
Trump walks with Netanyahu and Israeli president Isaac Herzog
Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who has been instrumental to his Israel policy is also in Israel, accompanied by his wife Ivanka
Trump and Netanyahu were seen in conversation as they left the airport together
The first images of the freed hostages have been released by the Israeli Defence Forces
Thousands of Palestinians have been travelling to Gaza City, where Israel has focused its attacks in recent weeks, in the hope that there will be no more violence.
In a televised speech yesterday, Netanyahu said: ‘Tomorrow is the beginning of a new path. A path of building, a path of healing, and I hope – a path of uniting heart.’
All living Israeli captives are due to be released, with the bodies of the remaining 28 dead hostages to be released later.
Families of the hostages who have not yet been released by Hamas have held video calls with their loved ones.
Matan Zangauker’s mother, Einav, was seen speaking to her son in a video.
She told him: ‘You’re coming home – you’re all coming home. There’s no more war.’
Nimrod Cohen, a soldier who was also captured by Hamas, was seen talking to his parents, Viki and Yehuda. The mother and relatives of Bar Abraham Kupershtein also spoke to him ahead of his release.
Defence minister Israel Katz said today: ‘The State of Israel and the security establishment embrace our first seven hostages returning home, including IDF soldier Matan Angrest. We await all of them with excitement and great love.’
World leaders have reacted to the release of hostages. British prime minister Keir Starmer said: ‘Today is the first, crucial phase in ending the war in the Middle East.
The mother and relatives of hostage Bar Abraham Kupershtein speak to him via video call
Donald Trump’s plane arrives in Israel ahead of the release of hostages held in Gaza
Trump greets his daughter Ivanka as he arrives in Israel
A huge sign thanking Donald Trump was seen on the sands of an Israeli beach
A huge crowd has gathered in Hostage Square in Tel Aviv in anticipation of the release of all the captives. It is estimated that at least 65,000 people are at the location
US and Israeli flags line the streets as a motorcade ferrying Trump and Netanyahu drives past
‘Now we must deliver lasting peace and a secure future for the whole region.
‘The UK is providing additional humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza, and we will lead efforts to accelerate its reconstruction.’
Starmer will join 20 other world leaders for a summit in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, where the peace plan will be on the agenda.
Trump will be at the summit after he leaves Israel.
Trump is expected to receive a hero’s welcome in Egypt as well. Billboards bearing his photograph have been erected throughout the city.
Jubilant citizens gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, as the news of the release of the first hostages was broken.
It is estimated that at least 65,000 people had gathered in the square. In the streets of Tel Aviv, US and Israeli flags flew as a motorcade ferrying Trump and Netanyahu drove past.
An enormous display depicting Trump’s head and the words ‘Thank you’ was also seen on the sands of an Israeli beach.
While on board Air Force One, Trump touted his accomplishment. He was also asked whether he thought securing the peace deal would get him into heaven.
He joked: ‘I don’t think there’s anything that’s going to get me in heaven. I think I’m not maybe heaven-bound.
‘I may be in heaven right now as we fly in Air Force One, I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to make heaven, but I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people.’
When asked if he saw the crowd at Hostage Square boo his envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump responded: ‘I also saw the crowd cheer when he mentioned Trump, like really cheer, and it’s an honour’.
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