Trump urges Israel to seize chance for peace ahead of Egypt summit on Gaza’s future

U.S. President Donald Trump told Israeli lawmakers on Monday (October 13, 2025) that their country had no more to achieve on the battlefield and must work toward peace in the Middle East after two years of war against Hamas and skirmishes with Hezbollah and Iran.

Also read: Israel-Hamas ceasefire live updates on October 13, 2025

Although the U.S.-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas remains fragile, Mr. Trump is determined to seize an opportunity to chase an elusive regional harmony.

“Generations from now, this will be remembered as the moment that everything began to change,” he declared to the Knesset.

“Israel, with our help, has won all that they can by force of arms,” Mr. Trump said. “You’ve won. Now it is time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East.”

Mr. Trump promised to help rebuild Gaza, which has been devastated during the conflict, and urged Palestinians to “turn forever from the path of terror and violence.”

“After tremendous pain and death and hardship, now is the time to concentrate on building their people up instead of trying to tear Israel down,” he said.

Mr. Trump even plans to make a gesture to Iran, where he bombed three nuclear sites during the country’s brief war with Israel earlier this year, by saying, “The hand of friendship and cooperation is always open.”

The U.S. President will continue on to Egypt for a summit with more than two dozen other nations, although he was running hours late as speeches at the Knesset continued longer than expected.

“They might not be there by the time I get there, but we’ll give it a shot,” Mr. Trump joked after needling Israeli leaders for talking so much.

There was a chance that Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would join him, and Egypt even announced his attendance. However, Mr. Netanyahu’s office said later that he would not be going because the summit was too close to the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah.

All 20 hostages were released on Monday (October 13, 2025) as part of an agreement intended to end the war that began on October 7, 2023, with an attack by Hamas-led militants. Mr. Trump may meet some of them at the Sheba Medical Center, and he talked with families at the Knesset.

Israeli lawmakers chanted Mr. Trump’s name and gave him a standing ovation continuously. Some people in the audience wore red hats that resembled his “Make America Great Again” caps, although these versions said “Trump, The Peace President”.

Mr. Netanyahu hailed Mr. Trump as “the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House” and he promised to work with him going forward.

“Mr. President, you are committed to this peace. I am committed to this peace,” he said. “And together, Mr. President, we will achieve this peace.” The moment remains fragile, with Israel and Hamas still in the early stages of implementing the first phase of Mr. Trump’s plan.

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement calls for the release of the final hostages held by Hamas, the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza; and a partial pullback by Israeli forces from Gaza’s main cities.

With families overjoyed at the impending reunions and Palestinians eager for a surge of humanitarian assistance, Trump thinks there is a narrow window to reshape the region and reset long-fraught relations between Israel and its Arab neighbours.