Trump Declares Hostages Freed in Triumphant Knesset Speech

In a historic moment of relief and renewal, U.S. President Donald J. Trump declared, “The hostages are back! It feels so good to say it,” during his emotional and wide-ranging speech at the Knesset on Monday. The declaration came just hours after the first hostages were released from Gaza, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Israel and the region.

A trumpet fanfare welcomed Trump as he entered the plenum to standing ovations. His presence signaled the culmination of high-stakes diplomacy that delivered a ceasefire and the beginning of the hostages’ safe return home.

“We're in a nice place,” Trump began, invoking the “Abrahamic God” and praising the courage of Israel’s leadership and people. He emphasized the enduring strength of the U.S.-Israel alliance and called Prime Minister Netanyahu “not easy to work with, but that’s what makes him great.”

The American president praised key figures, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, for their roles in securing the agreement. “This is an incredible triumph for Israel and the world,” Trump said, referencing the multinational support for a post-Hamas, demilitarized Gaza.

Trump was emphatic in his support for Israel’s military response and thanked the IDF for defeating terror. He affirmed, “Israel has won all that can be won by force of arms,” and now must translate those victories into long-term peace. “My personality is all about stopping wars,” he added.

Touching on the October 7 massacre, Trump stated: “Never forget and never again.” The Knesset stood in unified applause. He reiterated America’s commitment to stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions, crediting Israel’s Operation Rising Lion and the U.S.’s Operation Midnight Hammer with “taking a big cloud off the Middle East.”

On Hezbollah, Trump announced: “The dagger long aimed at Israel’s throat has been shattered,” revealing support for Lebanon’s disarmament efforts. He described a region transformed “people dancing in the streets” across Arab capitals in celebration of the agreement.

Trump also appealed to the business-minded, calling the Abraham Accords a “solid investment in peace” and stating, “If there was one stock I would invest in today, it would be the State of Israel.”

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana compared Trump to Cyrus the Great, calling him “a giant of Jewish history.” He pledged to lead a parliamentary initiative to nominate Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. “There is no one more deserving,” Ohana said.

Prime Minister Netanyahu echoed that sentiment, praising Trump’s unmatched support and revealing he had nominated him for the Israel Prize. Netanyahu recalled Trump’s crucial decisions from moving the embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing the Golan Heights, to ordering strikes on Iranian threats.

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, addressing the Knesset, said: “You have saved the lives of our hostages. But you saved so much more you saved the soul of Israel.” He condemned Western protests that supported terror groups, urging the world to “learn the truth.”

Trump also called for President Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, sparking chants of “Bibi!” throughout the chamber. The bipartisan display of unity underscored the moment’s gravity and the president’s unparalleled standing in Israel.

From the guest gallery, Miriam Adelson looked on, just days after her 80th birthday a symbolic presence for a key figure who helped shape the very policies being celebrated.

After his speech, Trump met with freed hostages and their families, a powerful conclusion to a landmark visit.

“This little dot, look at what you’ve done it’s incredible,” Trump told the chamber, as applause erupted once more. “The State of Israel is strong, and it will live and thrive forever.”

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