Tel Aviv, October 13 — U.S. President Donald Trump landed at Ben Gurion Airport at 9:20 a.m. local time on Monday, marking a triumphant return to Middle East diplomacy as he prepares to address Israel’s Knesset and meet hostage families ahead of the anticipated release of the remaining 20 living Israeli captives from Gaza. The four-hour visit, part of a whirlwind trip to the region, coincides with the deadline for the first phase of his 20-point peace plan—a ceasefire and prisoner exchange that Trump hailed as ending the “3,000-year catastrophe”—before departing for a peace summit in Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh, according to details received by The Chenab Times.
Trump’s arrival, aboard Air Force One, featured a brief welcome ceremony at the airport before he proceeded directly to the Knesset for an 11:00 a.m. speech to lawmakers, becoming only the fourth U.S. president to address Israel’s parliament, as reported by The Times of Israel. The itinerary includes a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and families of the hostages, whose release—along with 28 bodies—is expected imminently via the Red Cross, per Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian. In exchange, Israel will free nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life terms for security offenses and 22 minors, as confirmed by the IDF, which completed its withdrawal to a “yellow line” controlling 53% of Gaza by Friday.
Speaking to reporters en route from Joint Base Andrews, Trump declared the “war is over” and the ceasefire “will hold,” crediting his negotiations for what he called a “very special time” where “Muslim and Arab countries were cheering” alongside Israelis. He dismissed concerns of boots on the ground, with Vice President JD Vance affirming on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that no U.S. troops would deploy to Gaza or Israel, despite reports of 200 American personnel monitoring the truce. Trump also teased potential Ukraine aid, including long-range Tomahawk missiles to pressure Russia, telling reporters aboard the plane, “I might say, ‘Look, if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them tomahawks.’”
The visit caps a contentious yet productive process: Trump’s October 6 call with Netanyahu was fiery, rebuking the Israeli leader as “f***ing negative” for viewing Hamas’s “yes, but” response as rejection, The Chenab Times earlier. Netanyahu aligned hours later, halting airstrikes, and aides stressed unity via a video praising Trump. Hamas, under pressure, agreed in principle to release all captives for an end to hostilities and withdrawal, but seeks details on deeper pullbacks and prisoner profiles, with indirect talks in Sharm El-Sheikh advancing phase two—disarmament—mediated by U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack killing 1,200 Israelis and abducting 250, has claimed over 67,000 Palestinian lives, predominantly civilians, per Gaza Health Ministry figures. Despite the truce holding for three days, 104 Palestinians died in strikes since Friday, including 10 since dawn October 13, per Al Jazeera. The Government Media Office reported 67,160 deaths since October 2023, with 21 bodies and 96 injured in the past 24 hours.
Trump’s optimism contrasts with Gaza’s internal fragility: Hamas mobilized 7,000 security forces to counter clan violence, killing two elite members in Sabra and besieging the Dughmush clan, per BBC. A Hamas politburo member told NPR the group will cede governance but not disarm until occupation ends. Human rights expert Khalil Abu Shammala warned of civil war risks, as retired PA officer noted arms proliferation.
Aid activists on Conscience vessel aim for Gaza by Friday, Huwaida Arraf declaring, “You are not alone.” Tony Blair’s transitional role drew “dark joke” criticism. YouGov poll: 57% of Britons view Israel’s actions unjustified.
As Trump speaks, the anniversary eve underscores stakes—his “valedictory” trip, per CNN, could cement legacy if releases proceed, but fragility looms. Palestinian Authority’s Mahmoud Abbas attends the Egypt summit, signaling broader involvement. Trump told Fox News in August ending wars could “get him into heaven,” quipping Sunday he was “being a little cute” but doesn’t expect divine entry post-ceasefire.
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