TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) – U.S. President Donald Trump flew over Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, Israel, where tens of thousands of people had gathered, on Monday aboard Air Force One en route to landing in Israel.
Tens of thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv to watch the release of hostages as part of an Israeli-Hamas war ceasefire.
The flyover took place shortly after the first seven living hostages arrived in Israel from Gaza. More than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners are also scheduled to be released.
This is the latest news. Previous articles from the Associated Press are below.
Aboard Air Force One (AP) — President donald trump is scheduled to land in Israel on Monday to celebrate. US-brokered ceasefire and hostage agreement between Israel and Hamasthe agreement he declared effectively ended the war and opened the door to construction. lasting peace In the Middle East.
Israel and Hamas are still in the early stages of implementation and remain vulnerable at this moment. first stage The plan includes the release of Israeli hostages held since October 7, 2023; Attacks by Hamas-led armed groups.
As families rejoice over impending reunions and Palestinians eager for more humanitarian aid, President Trump believes time is short to reshape the region and reset Israel’s longstanding relationships with its Arab neighbors.
“The war is over, okay?” President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
“I think people are tired of it,” he said, stressing that he believed the ceasefire would hold because of it.
The Republican president said the chance for peace was made possible by his administration’s support for Israel’s destruction of Iranian proxies, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The White House said momentum is also growing. Arab and Islamic countries Countries have indicated a renewed focus on resolving the decades-old broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and in some cases deepening ties with the United States.
In February, President Trump predicted that Gaza could be redeveloped into what he called an area. middle east riviera”But on Sunday aboard Air Force One, he was more cautious.
President Trump said, “I don’t know about Riviera for a while.” “It’s been blown up. It’s like a demolition site.” But he said he would like to visit the area someday. “I want to at least get my foot in the door,” he said.
The first phase of the ceasefire agreement calls for the release of the last 48 hostages held by Hamas. release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners Owned by Israel. A surge in humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israeli forces have partially withdrawn from Gaza’s main cities.
President Trump will first visit Israel, meet with the families of the hostages, and finally address the Knesset, an honor bestowed on President George W. Bush in 2008.
The President will then stop by Egypt and meet with the Egyptian President. Abdel Fattah El Sisi He will lead a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh with the leaders of more than 20 countries on peace in Gaza and the broader Middle East.
Both Israel and Egypt announced that Trump would receive their countries’ highest civilian honor.
The ceasefire remains tenuous and it is unclear whether the two sides will reach an agreement. reached some kind of agreement On Israel’s demands for post-war governance of Gaza, territorial reconstruction, and the disarmament of Hamas. negotiations on those issues; A breakdown is possible, with Israel threatening to resume military operations if its demands are not met.
Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble And the region’s approximately 2 million residents continue to struggle in desperate conditions. Under the deal, Israel agrees to reopen five border crossings, easing the flow of food and other goods to Gaza, where parts of the country are suffering from famine.
Approximately 200 U.S. troops will provide support and support. monitor ceasefire agreement As part of a team that includes partner countries, non-governmental organizations and private companies.
__
Megerian reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Will Weissert contributed to this report from Washington.
