Trump urges Netanyahu pardon in Knesset, touts ceasefire as 20 hostages freed
Speaking to Israel’s Knesset, President Trump hailed a U.S.‑brokered ceasefire that saw Hamas free all 20 living hostages, declared the war “over,” urged President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and met with hostage families. He then flew to Egypt to co‑chair a Sharm el‑Sheikh summit with President el‑Sisi attended by more than 20 world leaders to push a postwar framework even as Israel began releasing roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and a surge of humanitarian aid and multinational security proposals unfolded, with Netanyahu opting not to attend the summit.
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📌 Key Facts
- President Trump made a rapid trip to the Middle East: he flew to Israel to meet hostage families and address the Knesset, then traveled to Sharm el‑Sheikh to co‑lead an international summit with Egypt’s President el‑Sisi before returning to Washington; in Israel he declared the Gaza war “over” and called the U.S.‑brokered deal possibly his biggest accomplishment.
- Under a ceasefire/prisoner‑exchange that followed Israeli pullbacks and a 72‑hour window for Hamas to comply, all 20 living Israeli hostages were released Monday (some released in stages, including seven shortly before Trump’s landing); transfers were coordinated by the Red Cross, many hostages were flown for medical checks after roughly 738 days in captivity, and Hamas said it would begin turning over some remains (28 deceased captives in total) while a multinational effort will seek the others.
- Reciprocal terms called for the large-scale release of Palestinian detainees: Israel began freeing roughly 1,900–2,000 prisoners (including several hundred designated as convicted terrorists and about 250 long‑term 'lifers' cited in some accounts), with hundreds deported through Rafah to third countries as part of the deal.
- The Sharm el‑Sheikh summit—expected to include more than 20 countries and the U.N. secretary‑general—will focus on a postwar framework: scaling humanitarian aid, creating a multinational security force, negotiating interim governance (a technocratic Palestinian committee), and launching reconstruction under an international oversight body (a proposed 'Board of Peace' chaired by Trump with figures such as Tony Blair mentioned); Netanyahu said he would not attend the summit.
- Humanitarian and security provisions tied to the deal include a major aid surge (targets cited up to 600 trucks/day, with specific Egyptian truck movements noted), UN/Red Crescent oversight of aid flows, and Egyptian commitments to support an international force and to have trained—along with Jordan—up to 5,000 Palestinians for Gaza security deployment.
- In his Knesset remarks Trump publicly urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (an unscripted call), praised Netanyahu’s role in securing the deal, urged broader regional settlements including pressure on Iran, and faced visible domestic tensions in the Knesset (security removing protesting lawmakers Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif and some opposition criticism).
📚 Contextual Background
- A peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump called for Hamas to free all remaining hostages and for the Israeli military to begin withdrawing from parts of Gaza in phases; the plan also proposed transferring parts of Gaza to a "technocratic" Palestinian committee and deploying a temporary security force backed by Arab states.
- The proposed plan specified that Hamas would release the remaining hostages taken on October 7, 2023 within 72 hours of an agreement, and that Israel would release 250 Palestinians serving life sentences plus 1,700 other Gazans detained after the start of the conflict as part of the exchange.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
Playbook: Trump’s full-court stress test
"The Politico Playbook piece frames Trump’s simultaneous Israel/Egypt diplomatic push as a potentially major win that is being stress‑tested — and possibly undermined — by concurrent domestic crises (shutdown, layoffs, legal and trade confrontations), praising the diplomatic stakes while warning that governance failures at home could negate the benefits."
📰 Sources (22)
Trump calls for Netanyahu pardon after hailing swift removal of left-wing lawmakers by security
New information:
- Names of the two expelled lawmakers: Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif
- Details of their protest signs: “Genocide” and “Recognize Palestine,” and that security swiftly removed them
- Trump’s additional lines: pledge to "always" support Jerusalem unless a "really stupid" leader takes office; jokes about Lapid as a “very nice opposition leader”; comments to Netanyahu that he can be “a little nicer” now that war is over
- Trump voiced support for Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, described as key in Netanyahu’s coalition
- Lapid quote ahead of Trump’s address: “The truth is, there was no genocide, no intentional starvation.”
WATCH: Netanyahu tells Israeli parliament he’s ‘committed to this peace’ as Trump touts Gaza deal
New information:
- Netanyahu told the Knesset he is “committed to this peace” and framed the day as the end of two years of war on the Jewish calendar.
- Trump received repeated standing ovations; some attendees wore hats reading “Trump, The Peace President.”
- Trump acknowledged his call for a Netanyahu pardon was not in his prepared text and met with families of hostages at the Knesset.
- Article reiterates that 20 hostages were released Monday under the deal and the ceasefire began Friday with exchanges underway.
WATCH: Trump celebrates hostage release, calls for Netanyahu pardon in speech to Israeli parliament
New information:
- Trump, in his Knesset address, publicly urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- He declared Israel had ‘won’ militarily and pressed to translate battlefield gains into a regional peace, promising U.S. help to rebuild Gaza.
- He extended a rhetorical ‘hand of friendship’ to Iran despite earlier U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites during the brief war with Israel.
- He praised major donor Miriam Adelson from the podium; lawmakers repeatedly chanted his name.
- Netanyahu will not attend the Sharm el‑Sheikh summit due to Simchat Torah; Trump said his Knesset stop made him late to the summit.
- Trump may visit newly freed hostages at Sheba Medical Center and met with families at the Knesset; 20 hostages were released Monday.
Trump Declares an End to Gaza War in Middle East Victory Lap
New information:
- Trump formally declared the Gaza war 'over' in a speech to Israel’s Knesset, calling it 'the historic dawn of a new Middle East.'
- He said he leveraged ties with Qatar and Turkey to secure the up‑front release of the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages.
- Trump urged a broader regional settlement, including pursuing an Iran nuclear restriction deal and pressed Netanyahu to seek a peace agreement with Iran.
- He is heading to Sharm el‑Sheikh for a leaders’ summit to build a postwar framework, while noting a multinational security force and interim governance still need negotiation.
- Trump indicated his small national‑security team will next prioritize talks with Russia on Ukraine.
Living hostages and Palestinian prisoners released as part of Gaza ceasefire
New information:
- Hamas said it will release the bodies of four of the 28 deceased Israeli captives; timing for the remaining remains is unclear.
- Netanyahu told the Knesset he is "committed to this peace" and marked the "end of two years of war" on the Jewish calendar.
- AP/PBS recounts the coordinated transfers and public scenes as buses of released Palestinian prisoners arrived and Israelis watched hostage returns nationwide.
- Confirms Trump’s presence in Israel to address the Knesset and his planned travel to Egypt for a summit on the U.S.-proposed deal and postwar plans.
Live updates: Hamas frees living hostages, Israel releases prisoners as Trump visits Middle East
New information:
- An Egyptian official said 154 Palestinian prisoners released and deported by Israel arrived at Egypt’s Rafah crossing and will be sent to third countries under the deal.
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain stands ready to help monitor the ceasefire and assist with decommissioning Hamas weaponry, citing Northern Ireland experience.
- President Trump addressed Israel’s Knesset, declaring the U.S.-brokered deal effectively ended the Israel–Hamas war and will discuss postwar plans with leaders in Egypt later Monday.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he hopes Trump can apply similar influence to end the war in Ukraine and plans to discuss it at the Egypt summit.
- Human‑interest detail: released hostage Bar Kupershtein reunited with his father Tal, who stood from a wheelchair to embrace him.
Israeli hostages reunited with families in emotional moments
New information:
- Identifies specific released hostages and reunions: Guy Gilboa-Dalal; twins Gali and Ziv Berman; Lishay Miran-Lavi reunited with husband Omri Miran.
- States hostages arrived back in Israel for medical checks after 738 days in captivity.
- Adds on-the-ground detail of first seven freed Monday appearing 'pale but less gaunt' than some released in January.
- Includes Trump’s Knesset quote framing the release as a turning point and notes he met with families at the Knesset.
Netanyahu to skip Trump’s Middle East peace summit in Egypt as new regional dynamics take shape
New information:
- The Sharm el-Sheikh summit linked to the ceasefire process will proceed without Netanyahu, per his office.
- Summit co-hosts are President Trump and Egypt’s President el-Sisi, with more than 20 world leaders expected.
- Opposition criticism inside Israel (Yair Golan) framed the absence as politically motivated.
Israeli and Palestinian prisoners released as part of ceasefire
New information:
- Israel began releasing more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, with buses arriving in Beitunia (West Bank) and in Gaza.
- All 20 freed hostages are men; Israel also expects the return of the remains of 28 deceased hostages (timing not yet clear).
- Netanyahu told the Knesset he is "committed to this peace"; President Trump is expected to address the Knesset and then attend a summit on the U.S.-proposed deal and postwar plans.
- A surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza is expected alongside the ceasefire, with parts of Gaza experiencing famine.
- AP details include first photos of freed hostages, such as 28-year-old twins Gali and Ziv Berman reuniting, and that transfers proceeded via the Red Cross.
Netanyahu calls Trump Israel’s 'greatest friend' as final living hostages released
New information:
- All 20 living hostages have now been released under the ceasefire/prisoner-exchange deal.
- Exchange terms include Israel freeing 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
- Netanyahu publicly called Trump Israel’s 'greatest friend' and said 'No American president has ever done more for Israel.'
- Additional framework details: Israel halts operations and withdraws to predefined lines; humanitarian aid flows under UN/Red Crescent oversight; amnesty/safe passage for Hamas members who renounce violence; a technocratic transition with an international 'Board of Peace' chaired by Trump and including Tony Blair.
Trump writes message to Israelis after all living hostages released by Hamas
New information:
- Update from partial to full: all 20 living Israeli hostages have now been released.
- Israel commenced the reciprocal release of around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 designated as terrorists.
- Trump’s guest-book message and planned Knesset remarks released by the White House.
- Next diplomatic step: Trump to co-lead a Sharm el-Sheikh summit with leaders from more than 20 countries.
Hamas releases 7 Israeli hostages as part of Gaza peace deal
New information:
- Seven Israeli hostages were released shortly before President Trump’s landing in Israel, with 13 more expected later in the morning.
- The agreement’s implementation includes a multinational task force to locate 28 deceased hostages’ remains, including two Americans.
- Specific prisoner-exchange figures: 250 lifers (excluding ~two dozen) and 1,700 Gaza detainees to be released by Israel.
Trump to Axios: Gaza deal might by my biggest accomplishment
New information:
- Trump says the Gaza deal "could be the biggest thing I was ever involved in" and his Knesset message will be "Love and peace for eternity" (direct quotes).
- He confirms he will meet hostage families and PM Benjamin Netanyahu during the Israel stop.
- Axios reports Israel was preparing for the imminent release of the last 20 live hostages held by Hamas.
- Trump says he is enthusiastic about Monday's Sharm el‑Sheikh conference and cites broad international attendance as validation of his plan.
- He notes Netanyahu is not expected to attend the Egypt conference (says the hosts set the guest list) and welcomes Mahmoud Abbas' expected attendance.
- Trump claims his June order to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities helped enable the Gaza deal by weakening Tehran’s backing for Hamas.
Trump starts week in Middle East, overseeing historic peace agreement
New information:
- Trump publicly declared, “The war is over,” before departing Joint Base Andrews for Israel.
- He said some hostages could be released earlier than previously signaled.
- Trump praised Netanyahu’s role, saying the Israeli PM did a “very good job” securing the deal.
- An Egyptian presidential spokesperson (via Reuters) said more than 20 world leaders will attend the Sharm el-Sheikh summit.
- Schedule specificity: Trump will meet families of hostages, address the Knesset, then fly to Egypt on Monday before returning to Washington early Tuesday.
Trump says Hamas may release 20 hostages ‘a little bit early’ as he heads to Middle East
New information:
- While traveling to the region on Oct. 12, Trump said Hamas may release 20 hostages earlier than planned.
- The remark is a timing update aligned with his in-person diplomatic push in Israel/Egypt.
Trump leaves for a visit to Israel, and will later co-chair a meeting in Egypt on the Gaza peace plan.
New information:
- Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian said all 20 living hostages are expected to be released at one time to the Red Cross early Monday and initially transferred to the Re’im military base for reunions.
- Vice President JD Vance said Trump plans to welcome the released hostages in person and cautioned some remains of deceased hostages may never be recovered.
- The Egypt summit at Sharm el-Sheikh will include more than 20 countries, the UN secretary-general, and leaders of the UK, France, Italy, and Spain; it remains unclear whether Israeli or Palestinian representatives will attend.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office said he will pay “particular tribute” to President Trump at the summit.
Netanyahu advisor expresses 'deep faith' in Trump's Gaza ceasefire plan framework approach
New information:
- Introduces details of a 'Board of Peace' chaired by President Trump to supervise Gaza’s reconstruction and governance.
- Names Tony Blair as a participant on the board and describes a technocratic Palestinian committee for day-to-day governance.
- Provides Israeli security assessments of IDF positions post-pullback and the strategic importance of the Philadelphi Corridor.
Transcript: Badr Abdelatty on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Oct. 12, 2025
New information:
- Ahead of Trump’s Sharm el‑Sheikh meeting, Egypt publicly commits to supporting and contributing troops to a Gaza international force under a UN Security Council mandate.
- Egypt discloses active training (with Jordan) of up to 5,000 Palestinians for security deployment in Gaza.
Israel says it expects hostages, Palestinian detainees to be released on Monday
New information:
- Israel’s government now expects all 20 living hostages to be released Monday in a single coordinated transfer, aligning with the ceasefire’s first-phase timeline referenced ahead of President Trump’s visit.
- Operational details on aid scale-up (600 trucks/day target; 400 Egyptian trucks Sunday) add context to the environment surrounding the planned presidential visit.
Trump prepares for Middle East trip to highlight ceasefire agreement
New information:
- Trump has been invited to address Israel’s Knesset — a rarity last extended to a U.S. president (George W. Bush) in 2008.
- Israeli troops finished withdrawing from parts of Gaza on Friday, starting a 72-hour clock for Hamas to release hostages.
- Trump said he expects remaining hostages’ return to be completed Monday or Tuesday, possibly while he is on the ground.
- He will travel on to Egypt to co-lead a Sharm el-Sheikh summit with President el-Sissi, with leaders from more than 20 countries.
- Article reiterates first-phase terms: release of 48 hostages (about 20 believed alive), hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, surge of aid, and partial IDF pullback from Gaza’s main cities.
- New on-record quotes from Trump about rebuilding Gaza with funding from wealthy regional states.
+ 2 more sources