United States President Donald Trump addressed Israel’s parliament on Monday, October 13, 2025, declaring to lawmakers that the war with Hamas has come to an end.
Trump, who addressed Israel’s parliament amid the ongoing ceasefire deal, declared that the “long, painful nightmare is finally over.”
The U.S. President also hailed the release of the last 20 living Israeli hostages held by Hamas, saying it is the beginning of a new era in the Middle East.
Speaking amid thunderous applause, Trump credited his administration’s relentless diplomacy for brokering the ceasefire that ended nearly two years of devastating conflict in Gaza.
“And as the dust settles, the smoke fades, the debris is removed and the ashes clean from the air, the day that breaks on a region transformed and a beautiful and much brighter future appears suddenly within your reach,” Trump addressed Israel’s parliament.
The president argued that “because of us, the enemies of all civilization are in retreat.”
Trump also asked Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, a seemingly off-the-cuff request that he said wasn’t in excerpts of prepared remarks.
“This man is good right here. I have an idea. Mr. President, why don’t you give him a pardon?” Trump said during his speech to the Knesset. Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial has been looming in the backdrop of the war, with opponents accusing the Israeli prime minister of prolonging the conflict to delay his own legal proceedings.
“That was not in the speech, as you probably know, but I happen to like this gentleman right over here, and it just seems to make so much sense,” Trump said. “Whether we like it or not, this has been one of the greatest wartime presidents, and — cigars and Champagne — who the hell cares about all that?”
After addressing Israel’s parliament, Trump left Israel on board Air Force One for Egypt to continue his diplomatic visit.
In Egypt, Trump is expected to attend a summit which will also be attended by 20 world leaders. During the summit, a signing ceremony is expected.
Meanwhile, shortly after landing in Egypt, Trump visited Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Speaking during the visit, the U.S President praised al-Sisi for his role in bringing the Israel-Hamas ceasefire to life.
“He played a very important role. I appreciate it very much,” Trump said of Sisi, whom he called a powerful leader who keeps crime down in his country.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that on Monday, Hamas began the release of Israeli hostages.
The total of all the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages held captive for nearly two years has returned home.
Hamas released the 20 Israeli hostages in two batches. The first seven released by Hamas were Omri Miran, Matan Angrest, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Alon Ohel, and Eitan Mor.
Later, the last 13 Israeli hostages were released. Their names are: Elkana Bohbot, Avinatan Or, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, Evyatar David, Rom Braslabski, Segev Kalfon, Maxim Herkin, Bar Kupershtein, Eitan Horn, Ariel Cunio, David Cunio, Matan Zangauker, Nimrod Cohen.
In response, Israel has also dispatched buses carrying Palestinian prisoners to Ramallah, the de facto Palestinian capital of the occupied West Bank.
It was gathered that about 1,700 detainees from Gaza and 250 Palestinian prisoners are being released today as part of the ceasefire deal.
