Trump claims 'end of war' in Gaza Strip while delivering speech at Knesset

Israelis and Palestinians were cheering the swap release of living hostages and prisoners on Monday as both sides celebrated reunions across the border, while US President Donald Trump joined the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, marking what he called "the end of war in Gaza".

The Israeli government had confirmed that all 20 living hostages in Hamas' captivity had been freed, while a total of 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life terms were freed as part of the US-backed hostage deal. But Al Jazeera reported that at least 154 Palestinian prisoners being freed on Monday as part of the swap for Israeli captives held in Gaza would be forced into exile by Israel, citing the Palestinian Prisoners' Media Office.

About 2,000 Palestinian prisoners are to be released by Israel in this ceasefire phase. And the bodies of the 28 dead Israeli hostages were also expected to be handed over as part of the deal.

Scenes of emotional moments were streamed online and on social media after all living hostages held by Hamas were freed as part of the ceasefire deal, ending more than two years of atrocities and suffering.

READ MORE: International community welcomes 'first phase' of Gaza truce

In Ramallah, Palestinian prisoners walked off buses into throngs of welcoming crowds, some rushing forward to hug them.

Trump met with some of the Israeli hostage families at the Knesset before delivering his speech, according to the Hostage and Missing Families Forum.

Trump also thanked the Arab countries for pressuring Hamas and helping set the hostages free.

But as Trump turned to thank US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, he was interrupted by two members of the Knesset, Ofer Cassif and Ayman Odeh, who, according to Al Jazeera, called for the recognition of Palestine.

Trump said that Gaza will be demilitarized and Hamas disarmed while Israel's security is ensured, adding his hope that more nations will join the Abraham Accords with Israel, among others.

Yet while on board Air Force One en route to Israel, Trump acknowledged that the US was aware that Hamas "is rearming in Gaza" and claimed the group had been given US approval to do so "for a period of time".

Trump said Hamas has "been open about it" and that "we gave them approval for a period of time", adding "you have to understand, they've lost probably 60,000 people", which he said was "a lot of retribution".

The US president also said they wanted to ensure returning residents could rebuild safely, describing Gaza as "literally demolished" and saying" a lot of bad things can happen" as people return.

According to medical sources in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, the death toll since Oct 7, 2023, had risen to 67,806, while 170,066 have been wounded. Over the past 24 hours, at least 124 people, including 117 bodies that have been retrieved and 33 injured, were taken to hospitals in Gaza. But local authorities also fear there could be more victims under the rubble.

Trucks of humanitarian aid continued to flow into Gaza, where famine has broken out amid Israel's bombardment and blockade of the territory. Many of Gaza's 2.3 million people are reported to be on the brink of starvation.

ALSO READ: Hamas hands over 2nd batch of Israeli hostages to Red Cross in Gaza

Trump, heading to Egypt for the peace summit, mentioned a "Board of Peace" to be formed by a "group of wealthy nations" and said he hoped Palestinians would build Gaza up "instead of tearing Israel down".

Addressing the Knesset before Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed victory over Hamas, Iran and the Houthis in Yemen. He also said that under Trump's leadership, Israel "can forge new peace treaties with Arab countries in the region and Muslim countries beyond the region".

In a televised address on Sunday, Netanyahu said the country's military campaign "is not over". Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir also said the military "will continue to act in order to shape a security reality that ensures the Gaza Strip no longer poses a threat to the State of Israel and its civilians", Xinhua reported.

As news broke of Hamas's first release of seven hostages, Israeli forces raided the home of Palestinian prisoner Ahmed Kaabneh in Aqabat Jaber camp, south of Jericho, prior to his expected release under the ceasefire agreement, Wafa News Agency reported.

Contact the writers at jan@chinadailyapac.com