US President Donald Trump visited the occupied Palestinian territories on Monday ahead of a visit to Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh where he will take part in a so-called peace summit.
Speaking to journalists at the Knesset, Trump responded “yes” to a question on whether the war in Gaza has ended.
“This is a great day,” he said, standing alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “This is a whole new beginning, and I think there’s never been an event like it.”
“The love in the streets has just been incredible,” Trump said. “It’s just been a great day.”
Asked about what will happen to Hamas if it doesn’t comply with the ceasefire, he responded, “They’ll comply.”
Netanyahu then held a meeting with Trump in his office in the Knesset, according to the premier’s office.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who has also been involved in ceasefire negotiations, were also in the meeting.
They then met with hostage families and former captives in the Knesset.
Earlier on Monday, the US president was welcomed by Netanyahu and Israeli President Isaac Herzog at Ben Gurion Airport. As they walked down the red carpet, Trump said to Herzog and Netanyahu, “It’s a great day. Maybe your best day.”
BREAKING: Netanyahu and Herzog greet Trump as red carpet rolled out for US president in Israel
Live updates 🔗 https://t.co/C301Bd6F9c pic.twitter.com/8wI3pOGuNL
— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 13, 2025
Netanyahu Won’t Take Part in Egypt Summit
Meanwhile, Hebrew media initially reported that Trump and Netanyahu were “considering possibility” of the Israeli PM joining the so-called peace summit in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Israeli Channel 12 reported that in a call apparently brokered by Trump at the Knesset, Netanyahu accepted an invitation by the Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sissi to join the international summit on Trump’s Gaza peace plan in Sharm El-Sheikh today.
The Egyptian Presidency then confirmed that Netanyahu will participate in the summit.
Israeli media then reported that Netanyahu has declined the invite “because of the Shemini Atzeret-Simchat Torah holiday that begins tonight.”
Source: Agencies (edited by Al-Manar)
