Trump hails ‘new Middle East’ in Knesset speech; urges Netanyahu pardon as 20 hostages freed
Speaking to the Knesset, Trump hailed a “historic dawn of a new Middle East” after a U.S.-brokered Gaza deal that freed 20 living hostages and returned 28 sets of remains, urged lawmakers to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu, praised envoy Steve Witkoff and drew repeated standing ovations while two MPs were ejected for holding “Recognize Palestine” signs. He declined to commit to a two-state outcome, framed Gaza rebuilding as the near-term priority, warned that Hamas must disarm or “we will disarm them,” and issued a post saying “Phase two begins right now,” even as reports and circulated videos suggest Hamas has been executing rivals and reasserting control in Gaza amid continuing instability.
📌 Key Facts
- Trump told the Knesset the situation marks the "historic dawn of a new Middle East," saying 20 living hostages were freed and 28 sets of remains returned; his address drew repeated standing ovations and he framed his record as "about stopping wars," referencing "eight wars in eight months."
- After the Knesset speech, Trump declined to commit to a one- or two-state outcome—saying "We'll have to see"—and said the near-term priority is Gaza rebuilding and implementing the first phase of the ceasefire.
- Two Israeli lawmakers were ejected from the Knesset after holding "Recognize Palestine" signs during Trump's remarks.
- Trump publicly praised special envoy Steve Witkoff as key to the deal, quipping he’s "Henry Kissinger who doesn’t leak," and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton told CBS she considers the U.S.-brokered plan "a significant step" and commended the administration.
- Multiple reports and videos indicate Hamas has been publicly executing rivals and reasserting control in Gaza City—fighters and police have reappeared on streets despite the ceasefire—and an Israeli official said such displays are meant to reassert rule through terror.
- There are accounts of recent deadly clashes between Hamas and local militias, signaling instability even as leaders declare the 'war is over.'
- Analyst Mukhaimar Abu Saada says Hamas has issued an ultimatum giving alleged collaborators until Oct. 19 to surrender and seek amnesty (excluding those involved in killings), part of efforts to consolidate control.
- The White House warned it would "disarm" Hamas if it fails to comply with the agreement, and Trump posted on Truth Social "Phase two begins right now!!!" after the 20 living hostages were freed.
📚 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 (3)
"A pro‑Trump opinion piece that praises the president’s central role in securing the release of hostages and convening a Sharm el‑Sheikh summit (and lauds Netanyahu), but cautions that deep regional problems mean this diplomatic triumph is not the same as lasting peace."
"The Politico Playbook piece reads as a skeptical take on President Trump's high‑visibility Middle East tour — arguing it functions as a self‑styled 'victory lap' that trades substantive, multilateral diplomacy for spectacle and domestic political gain while creating diplomatic risks."
"Ambassador Charles Kushner’s opinion piece praises President Trump’s role in brokering the Gaza ceasefire and hostage releases, arguing that firm, unambiguous U.S. support for Israel combined with pragmatic Arab partnerships — the 'Trump Doctrine' — produced real peace and must be followed by conditional reconstruction and Palestinian reform."
📰 Sources (5)
- New White House remarks specify a threat to 'disarm' Hamas if it fails to comply with the agreement.
- Trump’s Truth Social post states 'Phase two begins right now!!!' after the 20 living hostages were freed.
- Videos circulating on social media appear to show Hamas publicly executing rivals in Gaza City’s main square; an Israeli military official told Fox News Digital the displays are meant to reassert rule through terror.
- Gazans interviewed describe Hamas fighters and police reappearing on the streets to reestablish control despite the ceasefire context.
- Political analyst Mukhaimar Abu Saada says Hamas issued an ultimatum giving alleged collaborators until Oct. 19 to surrender and seek amnesty (excluding those involved in killings).
- Accounts of recent deadly clashes between Hamas and local militias, suggesting instability despite declarations that the 'war is over.'
- After his Knesset address, Trump told reporters he is not committing to either one- or two-state outcomes, saying “We’ll have to see.”
- He framed the near-term priority as Gaza rebuilding and ongoing implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire.
- CBS reports two Israeli lawmakers were ejected from the Knesset after holding “Recognize Palestine” signs during Trump’s remarks.
- Trump publicly praised special envoy Steve Witkoff as key to the deal, quipping he’s “Henry Kissinger who doesn’t leak.”
- Hillary Clinton told CBS News the U.S.-brokered plan is “a significant step,” saying she “really commend[s] President Trump and his administration.”
- Trump framed the moment as the “historic dawn of a new Middle East,” noting 20 living hostages freed and 28 sets of remains returned.
- The article details repeated standing ovations and Trump’s claim he’s “about stopping wars,” referencing “eight wars in eight months.”