On Monday, Israel’s Prime Minister lauded President Donald Trump, calling him the “greatest friend” Israel has known, coinciding with Hamas’s release of the final 20 surviving hostages as part of a new peace agreement.
Netanyahu stated, “No U.S. president has accomplished more for Israel. It’s not even a close comparison.”
He expressed gratitude to Trump for his unwavering support for Israel at the United Nations, for acknowledging Israel’s claims in the West Bank (also known as Judea and Samaria), and for pulling out of what he termed the “catastrophic” Iran nuclear accord.
Netanyahu remarked, “We appreciate your backing of Operation Rising Lion and your decisive move to initiate Operation Midnight Hammer,” referencing the June assaults on Iranian nuclear facilities. He added, “You really must hear this – it’s the most appropriate designation for a military action, as shortly after midnight, you truly struck them hard.”
Netanyahu announced his nomination of Trump to be the initial awardee of the Israel Prize, an honor he characterized as the nation’s “foremost award.”
In his address, Trump commented on Netanyahu with a grin, stating, “He’s challenging — not the simplest individual to engage with — yet that is precisely what contributes to his greatness.”
Following the October 7, 2023, assault by Hamas militants on southern Israel, which claimed over 1,200 lives and involved the capture of approximately 240 hostages, leading to two years of conflict in Gaza and an estimated tens of thousands of fatalities, Israel and Hamas reached a landmark peace accord last week, mediated over several months by officials from the Trump administration.
A prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas commenced on Monday, as Hamas handed over the last 20 surviving hostages in return for Israel’s liberation of 2,000 Palestinian detainees. This release constituted a component of a broad initiative designed to conclude the hostilities and reconstruct Gaza. To date, merely four of the 28 hostages believed to be deceased have been repatriated.
Pursuant to the agreement, Israel ceased military actions and pulled back to predetermined boundaries, concurrently with the commencement of preparations for a full exchange of hostages. Hamas affiliates who disavow violence will receive amnesty or secure transit, whereas those persisting in resistance will be barred from participation in Gaza’s future administration.
Humanitarian assistance—comprising essential provisions, restoration of infrastructure, and medical aid—will enter Gaza unimpeded, overseen by the United Nations, the Red Crescent, and other impartial bodies.
Gaza’s administration will transition to a technocratic Palestinian committee, supervised by an international “Board of Peace” co-chaired by Trump, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and other world leaders. This entity will manage Gaza’s reconstruction efforts until a restructured Palestinian Authority is ready to assume authority.
An economic development strategy headed by Trump aims to draw international investment and convert Gaza into a “flourishing modern marvel city,” underpinned by a special economic zone offering advantageous trade conditions. The initiative guarantees that no inhabitants will be compelled to depart Gaza, highlighting voluntary engagement in the rebuilding process.
Security provisions entail establishing a U.S.-spearheaded International Stabilization Force (ISF) to train Palestinian law enforcement, safeguard borders, and supervise demilitarization. Israel will neither occupy nor annex Gaza, but will progressively pull out as security benchmarks are achieved. , including Egypt and Jordan, will assist in guaranteeing adherence and forestalling the re-emergence of militant dangers.