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Trump, Donald

Trump Urges Israel to Shift Focus from War to Peace as He Becomes Fifth American President to Address the Knesset

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

President Donald Trump became the fifth American president to address the Knesset, urging Israel to shift focus from waging war against Hamas to the "ultimate prize" of "peace and prosperity" in the Middle East region. Trump's remarks centered on the peace deal, which he said marked the "historic dawn of a new Middle East" and an "incredible triumph for Israel and the world." The president hailed the implementation of the peace deal as the end of the two-year-old war and the beginning of the age of faith and hope, and he also called on the Knesset to "translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East."

Key Takeaways:

  • Trump's peace plan includes provisions for Gaza to be "immediately demilitarized" with Hamas "disarmed" so Israel's security "will no longer be threatened in any way, shape or form" in the future.
  • The deal includes the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces to the "yellow line," which still leaves Israel in control of more than 50% of the enclave, but has seen troops leave populated areas such as Gaza City.
  • The plan also calls for a surge in badly needed aid to the tiny territory, where the UN-backed global hunger monitor has concluded that famine is already unfolding.
  • Hamas began the transfer of the remaining 20 living hostages to the Red Cross before being transferred into Israel and flown to hospitals to be reunited with their families.
  • Negotiations for phase two of the peace deal will begin, which includes a further withdrawal of Israel forces, the disarmament of Hamas, a transitional authority of technocrats that will take over the running of Gaza, and an international "stabilization" force to run security.
  • Israeli President Isaac Herzog Should Pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the breach of trust, bribery, and fraud charges he faces, according to Trump.
  • Trump's plan has been endorsed by virtually the entire region of the Middle East, and he is due to join other world leaders for a peace summit in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.
  • The "historic dawn" Trump spoke of comes after a long series of fits and starts at pushing through a ceasefire across two White House administrations.
  • Over two years, there were multiple attempts to push through a comprehensive ceasefire deal to secure the release of all hostages and captives from Gaza and bring an end to the devastating war.
  • Two truces collapsed, leading to a return of the unprecedented slaughter in Gaza and the deaths of additional hostages in captivity.
  • In September, Trump proposed a 20-point peace plan he claimed would be the "breakthrough" and includes the immediate release of the remaining 48 hostages and captives within a 72-hour window.

Statistics:

  • 20 living hostages were transferred to the Red Cross and then to Israel to be reunited with their families.
  • 2,000 Palestinians were released from Israeli prisons, including 22 children.
  • The remains of 350 slain Palestinians will be returned to their families.
  • The deal includes the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces to the "yellow line," which still leaves Israel in control of more than 50% of the enclave.
  • Famine is already unfolding in Gaza, according to the UN-backed global hunger monitor.
  • 70,000 lives have been claimed by the years-long bombing campaign against Gaza.

Sources:

  • Reuters
  • AP
  • Israeli Army/AFP via Getty Image
  • Israeli Army
  • Nature News
  • Egyptian State Information Service

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