Trump "A new historic dawn for the Middle East… the starting point of change" [Comprehensive]

On the 13th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump declared "a new historic dawn for the Middle East."

The AP reported that President Trump boasted of his achievements, saying this in the speech to Israel's parliament (Knesset) released by the White House that day and that "this moment will be remembered as the starting point of all change for centuries to come."

According to the report, President Trump also emphasized, "Israel has obtained everything that could be gained by force," and said, "Now it is time to translate this victory over the terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate achievements of peace and prosperity."

AP also reported that regarding Iran, which the United States directly bombed for the first time in history last June, he said, "The hand of friendship and cooperation is always open."

DPA reported that upon arriving at the Knesset, President Trump told reporters he met there that "Hamas will follow the disarmament plan," and when asked whether the war was over, he replied, "Yes."

The report said he had earlier told reporters on the plane en route to Israel that "the war between Israel and Hamas is over."

Amir Ohana, Knesset Speaker, welcomed President Trump, saying, "We have eagerly awaited this day," and reportedly praised President Trump as a "giant in Jewish history."

President Trump announced that Hamas handed over 7 surviving hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as a first batch that day, and about an hour and a half later he arrived at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.

He was welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog and his wife, and after the Knesset speech he is scheduled to stop by Sheba Medical Center to meet the hostages released that day.

Hamas said it released all 20 surviving Israeli hostages that day under the first-stage agreement of President Trump's Gaza peace plan. The bodies of the remaining 28 deceased hostages are also to be handed over to Israel, but the exact timing has not been announced.

After completing his schedule in Israel that day, President Trump will cross into Egypt to preside over a leaders' summit for Gaza peace with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Sharm el-Sheikh on the Red Sea coast.

The meeting will be attended by leaders from about 20 countries, including the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and Türkiye, as well as UN Secretary-General António Guterres, to express support for the ceasefire agreement agreed by Israel and Hamas and to discuss implementation measures.

Lee Bo-bae, Hankyung.com guest reporter newsinfo@hankyung.com