Israeli media on Monday hailed US President Donald Trump's efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, who have been at war for over two years.
As Trump landed in Israel, seven hostages held by Hamas for over two years returned safely to Israel, reuniting with their families in emotional scenes of joy and relief.
Commemorating the event, Israeli media on Monday published a full-page picture of the released hostage in Trump's silhouette.
"He is bringing them home," it said.
The release comes as a major milestone in the ongoing US-brokered Gaza ceasefire and marks a step forward in humanitarian and diplomatic efforts in the region, bringing hope to families and communities affected by the conflict.
President Donald Trump arrived in Israel on Monday. He is expected to meet with the families of the returning hostages and deliver remarks at the Knesset (Israel's parliament).
The seven freed hostages were transferred to a military facility near Re’im for initial medical checkups and reunions with their families. The IDF is prepared to receive the remaining 13 living hostages, who are expected to be handed over to the Red Cross later on.
In Tel Aviv, a huge crowd gathered to support hostage families erupted in joy, tears, and song as news broke of the first releases, which came after two years of war in Gaza.
Maj Gen (Res) Nitzan Alon and Maj Gen Shlomi Binder joined Zamir in supervising the operation, which the IDF describes as a sacred mission to ensure all hostages are safely returned to Israel.
Trump's visit to the Middle East aims to celebrate his role in brokering last week's ceasefire and hostage release deal — but comes at a precarious time as Israel and Hamas negotiate what comes next.
Under the US president's proposed roadmap, once the Palestinian militants have handed over the surviving hostages, Israel will begin releasing around 2,000 detainees in exchange.
Israel expects all 20 living hostages to be released to the Red Cross "early Monday morning," according to a spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One at the start of the "very special" visit, Trump brushed off concerns about whether the ceasefire would endure.
"I think it's going to hold. I think people are tired of it. It's been centuries," he said of the fighting.
"The war is over. Okay? You understand that?" the US president added.
In Israel, Trump is due to meet the families of hostages before addressing the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem.
As Trump landed in Israel, seven hostages held by Hamas for over two years returned safely to Israel, reuniting with their families in emotional scenes of joy and relief.
Commemorating the event, Israeli media on Monday published a full-page picture of the released hostage in Trump's silhouette.
"He is bringing them home," it said.
The release comes as a major milestone in the ongoing US-brokered Gaza ceasefire and marks a step forward in humanitarian and diplomatic efforts in the region, bringing hope to families and communities affected by the conflict.
President Donald Trump arrived in Israel on Monday. He is expected to meet with the families of the returning hostages and deliver remarks at the Knesset (Israel's parliament).
The seven freed hostages were transferred to a military facility near Re’im for initial medical checkups and reunions with their families. The IDF is prepared to receive the remaining 13 living hostages, who are expected to be handed over to the Red Cross later on.
In Tel Aviv, a huge crowd gathered to support hostage families erupted in joy, tears, and song as news broke of the first releases, which came after two years of war in Gaza.
Maj Gen (Res) Nitzan Alon and Maj Gen Shlomi Binder joined Zamir in supervising the operation, which the IDF describes as a sacred mission to ensure all hostages are safely returned to Israel.
Trump's visit to the Middle East aims to celebrate his role in brokering last week's ceasefire and hostage release deal — but comes at a precarious time as Israel and Hamas negotiate what comes next.
Under the US president's proposed roadmap, once the Palestinian militants have handed over the surviving hostages, Israel will begin releasing around 2,000 detainees in exchange.
Israel expects all 20 living hostages to be released to the Red Cross "early Monday morning," according to a spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One at the start of the "very special" visit, Trump brushed off concerns about whether the ceasefire would endure.
"I think it's going to hold. I think people are tired of it. It's been centuries," he said of the fighting.
"The war is over. Okay? You understand that?" the US president added.
In Israel, Trump is due to meet the families of hostages before addressing the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem.
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