President Donald Trump has arrived in Israel following a U.S.-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as hostages began to be released under the truce agreement.
Trump landed at Ben Gurion International Airport at 9:45 a.m. local time, where he was received by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. His visit marks a significant diplomatic moment as he meets families of the returning hostages and addresses the Israeli parliament.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One before his arrival, Trump hailed his role in the ceasefire agreement, saying people were “dancing in the streets.”
“Everybody is happy, whether it’s Jews or Muslims or the Arab countries, every country is dancing in the streets,” he said. “It’s a point in time I don’t think you’ll ever see it again. They’ve never seen it in 3,000 years.”
The U.S. president was welcomed with full honors, including a military band and a red-carpet reception. He is expected to meet the families of hostages alongside Netanyahu at the Knesset before addressing parliament, where supporters distributed red “MAGA-style” hats branded “TRUMP THE PEACE PRESIDENT.”
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog also announced that Trump will receive the country’s highest civilian honor later this year.
Later in the day, Trump will co-host a peace summit with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Sharm el-Sheikh, bringing together over 20 world leaders to discuss regional stability.
Meanwhile, Hamas announced on Monday that it had handed over all living hostages as part of the ongoing ceasefire deal. Trump, while commending the progress, said more phases of the agreement are being finalized and hinted at the formation of a “Board of Peace” to help govern Gaza.
He also mentioned the possibility of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair playing a role in Gaza’s transitional government.
“I like Tony, I’ve always liked Tony, but I want to find out that he’s an acceptable choice to everybody,” Trump told reporters.
Declaring confidently, Trump said, “The war is over,” adding, “I think it’s going to normalize.”
While en route to Israel, Trump also issued a stern warning to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, urging him to end the war in Ukraine or risk U.S. supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv.
“I might say, ‘Look, if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks,’” Trump said, describing the weapon as “very offensive” and capable of shifting leverage in Ukraine’s favor.
He revealed that he had a “very productive” call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who requested the missiles to boost Ukraine’s long-range strike and air defense capabilities.
The Tomahawk missiles, which can travel up to 2,500 kilometers, would enable Ukraine to strike deep inside Russian territory — a move Moscow has warned would “seriously damage” U.S.-Russia relations and escalate the conflict.
Trump insisted that reaching a peaceful settlement would be in Putin’s best interest.
“I really think Mr. Putin would look great if he got this settled, and it’s not going to be good for him if not,” he said.