Top StoryUS

From Knesset, Trump Urges Israel to Pursue Peace Before Egypt Summit

From Knesset, Trump Urges Israel to Pursue Peace Before Egypt Summit/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump urged Israel to shift from military victory to diplomacy, declaring the war with Hamas over. Speaking to the Knesset, he called on leaders to embrace peace ahead of a major Egypt summit. Trump will meet with global leaders to shape Gaza’s future.

President Donald Trump speaks to the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool)
President Donald Trump talks with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Jerusalem. (Saul Loeb/Pool via AP)

Trump’s Call for Peace Quick Looks

  • Trump tells Israeli lawmakers “war is over,” urges push for peace.
  • Says Israel “won all that can be won by force.”
  • Receives standing ovations in Knesset; praised by Netanyahu.
  • U.S.-brokered ceasefire includes hostage and prisoner releases.
  • Trump will lead Gaza peace summit in Egypt with 20+ nations.
  • Warns against renewed conflict; emphasizes narrow window for diplomacy.
  • Truce’s first phase includes aid to Gaza and partial Israeli withdrawal.
  • 200 U.S. troops to help monitor and support ceasefire.
  • Trump says Gaza may one day become the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
  • Final governance and Hamas disarmament remain unresolved.
President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Jerusalem. (Saul Loeb/Pool via AP)
President Donald Trump Israeli and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak after Netanyahu addressed the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Jerusalem. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool via AP)

Trump Urges Israel to Pursue Peace Ahead of Egypt Summit

Deep Look

JERUSALEM (AP)U.S. President Donald Trump, on a landmark visit to Israel’s Knesset, declared Monday that the time for war is over and urged Israeli leaders to pursue a lasting Middle East peace following a fragile ceasefire with Hamas.

Speaking to lawmakers in Jerusalem, Trump said Israel had achieved everything possible on the battlefield after two years of intense conflict and must now transition from victory to diplomacy.

“Israel has won all that can be won by force of arms,” Trump said, according to prepared remarks. “Now it is time to translate these victories into the ultimate prize: peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East.”

His appearance was met with standing ovations and cheers, and some in the crowd wore red caps reading “Trump, The Peace President,” echoing his campaign slogan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling Trump “the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House,” pledged to work alongside him toward a regional agreement.

“Mr. President, you are committed to this peace. I am committed to this peace. And together, Mr. President, we will achieve this peace,” Netanyahu told him.

Trump’s Vision After the Guns Fall Silent

Trump’s address came just hours after 20 hostages were released from Gaza under the terms of the first phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, which also includes the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, an influx of humanitarian aid, and a partial Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza’s main cities.

The truce follows a war that erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. The subsequent Israeli campaign in Gaza has left over 67,000 Palestinians dead, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.

Though the ceasefire is holding for now, its terms remain precarious. Trump believes this moment offers a rare chance to reshape the region, and he’s leveraging his influence to do so.

“The war is over, OK?” Trump said aboard Air Force One, speaking to journalists en route to Israel. “I think people are tired of it.” He emphasized that the success of the ceasefire would depend on all sides committing to the new peace framework.

Trump added that peace was made possible, in part, by his administration’s support of Israel’s elimination of Iranian-backed proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah. Earlier this year, the U.S. struck three Iranian nuclear sites during a brief but tense escalation with Tehran.

Next Stop: Egypt Peace Summit

Following his address in Jerusalem, Trump is headed to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where he and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi will co-host a summit with over 20 global leaders to discuss Gaza’s future and broader Middle East peace efforts.

Originally, Netanyahu was expected to attend, and Egyptian officials announced his participation. However, his office later said he would not be present, citing the proximity of the summit to the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah.

Topics on the summit’s agenda include Gaza’s reconstruction, the role of an international governing body, and the formation of an Arab-led security force. Trump’s administration has outlined a plan that includes deploying Palestinian police trained by Egypt and Jordan, while Israeli troops would withdraw in phases.

Roughly 200 U.S. troops are already in Israel to support the ceasefire and coordinate aid efforts. The team will also include partner nations, NGOs, and private-sector players tasked with overseeing aid delivery and monitoring compliance with the deal.

A Long Road Ahead

Despite the ceasefire and release of hostages, the most difficult negotiations lie ahead. Hamas refuses to disarm, and Israel insists it will not allow the group to retain any military capability. The question of Gaza’s postwar governance also remains deeply contentious.

Trump has proposed that an international body oversee Gaza, while Palestinian technocrats — not affiliated with Hamas or Fatah — would manage civil affairs. The plan envisions an eventual role for the Palestinian Authority, though that would require significant internal reforms.

While Trump had once described Gaza as having the potential to become theRiviera of the Middle East,” he acknowledged on Sunday that such visions will take time.

“I don’t know about the Riviera for a while,” he said. “It’s blasted. This is like a demolition site.”

Still, he expressed hope for the future. “I’d like to put my feet on it, at least,” he told reporters, signaling his intention to personally witness the transformation he envisions.

A Delicate But Defining Moment

Trump’s visit and the Egypt summit represent a critical turning point in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Whether the ceasefire holds or collapses may depend on what unfolds in the coming days — especially regarding Hamas’ future, Israeli security concerns, and Palestinian governance.

But for now, Trump is making a bold bet on diplomacy, appealing to leaders on both sides of the conflict to seize a fleeting moment of peace and begin building what has long eluded the region — lasting stability.


More on US News

Previous Article
Gaza Ceasefire Frees Hostages, Palestinian Prisoners Exchanged
Next Article
Egypt Hosts World Leaders at Peace Summit to Support Gaza Truce

How useful was this article?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this article.

Latest News

Menu