13/10/2025
Donald Trump arrives in Israel to end Israel-Gaza War
US President Donald Trump has declared that “the war is over” as he arrived in Israel for the release of hostages from Gaza under the newly agreed ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed confidence that the truce would hold and announced plans to establish a “Board of Peace” for Gaza, describing the enclave as resembling a “demolition site.”
He commended Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Qatari government for their roles in mediating the ceasefire agreement.
According to the deal, Hamas must release all remaining hostages in Gaza by midday local time (10:00 BST). Later on Monday, President Trump is scheduled to travel to Egypt to attend an international summit focused on solidifying peace efforts and formally ending the war.
The conflict was triggered by the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which left about 1,200 people dead and 251 others taken hostage. In response, Israel launched a massive military campaign in Gaza, which, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, including over 18,000 children.
The ceasefire, which came into effect on Friday morning, marks the first phase of a 20-point peace plan brokered by President Trump. The remaining phases will be negotiated in the coming weeks.
Under the agreement, Hamas is expected to release 20 surviving hostages and the remains of up to 28 others. In return, Israel will free approximately 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees from Gaza, while significantly increasing humanitarian aid deliveries to the Strip.
An Israeli government spokesperson confirmed that the Palestinian prisoners would be released once all living hostages safely return to Israeli territory.