Jerusalem: US President Donald Trump received a prolonged standing ovation from Israeli lawmakers on Monday as he prepared to address the parliament during a brief visit to Israel. The visit came in the wake of a landmark ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, brokered with US involvement.

Lawmakers clapped and cheered Trump for several minutes in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, as he was accompanied by his special envoy Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and daughter Ivanka Trump.

Netanyahu’s praise for Trump and Israel’s soldiers

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the floor to express strong support for the US president, calling him “the greatest friend that the state of Israel has ever had in the White House.” Netanyahu emphasised that no American leader had done more for Israel than Trump.

Netanyahu also lauded the Israeli Defense Forces for achieving “amazing victories over Hamas” during the recent conflict. He reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to peace, saying, “oday, the Jewish calendar marks the end of two years of war.”

The ceasefire and prisoner exchange

The ceasefire, which began last Friday, included a high-profile exchange of Palestinian prisoners for hostages held by Hamas. On Monday, Hamas released the remaining 20 living hostages, all men, who were promptly reunited with their families in Israel and underwent medical checks. The bodies of 28 deceased hostages are also expected to be handed over, though the timing remains uncertain.

As part of the deal, Israel began releasing over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Buses carrying freed prisoners arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah and the Gaza Strip, greeted by cheering crowds.