Upon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport, Trump was welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
U.S. President Donald Trump touched down in Israel on Monday for a high-stakes visit ahead of a summit in Egypt focused on the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Upon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport, Trump was welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His visit comes just hours after Hamas released seven hostages, who were then transferred to Israeli custody via the Red Cross.
In a statement made aboard Air Force One en route to Tel Aviv, Trump told reporters, “The war between Israel and Hamas is over,” signaling optimism ahead of peace negotiations.
Hamas has indicated that all 20 remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza will be released on Monday as part of a broader agreement. In return, Israel is expected to release more than 1,900 Palestinian detainees.
During his time in Israel, Trump is scheduled to meet with families of the hostages and address members of the Knesset before flying to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he will co-chair a regional summit alongside Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi.
According to the Egyptian presidency, the summit seeks to reinforce the fragile ceasefire and lay the groundwork for long-term peace and regional stability.
World leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres are also expected to attend.
(dpa/NAN)
