Gaza Ceasefire LIVE Updates: Trump Urges Pardon For Israel PM Over Corruption Charges, Sends Message to Iran

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Recap: Trump Calls for Netanyahu to be Pardoned, Urges Peace in Fiery Knesset Speech | Top Quotes

President Trump has just concluded a speech to Israel's parliament, the Knesset, lasting over an hour. Much of his address was devoted to praising PM Netanyahu and the strong US-Israel relationship, as "Bibi" echoed throughout the hall.

Trump told Israel PM, "you're not at war anymore Bibi," after pledging two vows — "never forget, and never again" — referring to the attacks on 7 October.

Trump recalled phone calls with Netanyahu in which the Israeli PM asked him for more weapons. "So many that Israel became strong and powerful... that's what lead to peace."

Trump said Israel "has won all they can" and it is now time for peace "for the entire Middle East."

Some of the longest applause came when he said Hamas would be disarmed

He also asked Israel's president to issue a "pardon" to Netanyahu for any future corruption prosecutions.

Thanking the Knesset to another standing ovation, Trump concluded, "I love Israel, and I'm with you all the way."

Trump rounds off his speech, saying that "from the very first day that modern Israel was founded, we have stood together through thick and thin, of setbacks, through victory and defeat, through glory and heartache.

"We have built industries together, we have made discoveries together, we have confronted evil together, and we have waged war together, and perhaps most beautifully of all, we have made peace together.

"And this week, against all odds, we have done the impossible, and brought our hostages home."

The US president finishes his speech to rapturous applause, saying: "I love Israel, I'm with you all the way."

In the Israeli Parliament, Trump asks Israeli President Isaac Herzog to give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "a pardon" to recognise his leadership during the war in Gaza.

“This has been one of the greatest wartime presidents. And, cigars and champagne. Who the hell cares about. Them all right. Enough controversy for the day, right?” the US President said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a corruption trial. Prosecutors allege he accepted lavish gifts, including cigars and pink champagne, in exchange for promoting the personal interests of a Hollywood producer and granting regulatory favors to media owners.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday the Palestinian people should choose to turn away from "terror and violence" as he hailed the recently minted ceasefire in Gaza in an address to Israel's parliament.

"And the choice for Palestinians could not be more clear," he said. "This is their chance to turn forever from the path of terror and violence."

US President Donald Trump on Monday said he wanted a peace deal with Iran, after the United States joined Israel in striking the Islamic republic's nuclear sites during a brief war earlier this year.

"They got it from one side, from the other, and you know it would be great if we could make a peace deal with them," Trump said of Iran during a speech to Israel's parliament.

"Would you be happy with that? Wouldn't it be nice, I think. Because I think they want to."

US President Donald Trump told Israel's parliament on Monday that the forces of "jihadism and antisemitism" have failed, as he celebrated the ceasefire he helped to broker in Gaza.

"Together we've shown that peace is not just a hope that we can dream about, it's a reality we can build upon day by day, person by person, and nation by nation," he said.

"It should now be clear to everyone throughout the region that decades of fomenting terrorism and extremism, jihadism and antisemitism have not worked. They haven't worked. They've been a disaster."

After joking about running late to the summit in Egypt, Trump said he will meet with several nations there.

"Together we've shown peace is not just a hope that we can dream about, it's a reality we can build upon day by day," Trump says.

He expressed hope that more countries in the region will join the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Muslim states, adding to Netanyahu, “The world is loving Israel again.”

Trump recalls the horrific scenes of 7 October, describing the attack as "one of the most evil desecrations" of Jews since the Holocaust.

He renews US support for Israel, saying: "Please know that America joins you in those two everlasting vows: never forget and never again."

The US president says the "long and painful nightmare" is now over for both the Israeli people and the Palestinians.

"This is now a very exciting time for Israel and for the entire Middle East," he says.

"All across the Middle East, the forces of chaos, terror and ruin that have plagued the region for decades now stand weakened, isolated and totally defeated."

"Because of us, all the enemies of civilisation are retreating."

Trump says a deal couldn't have happened without the US striking three of Iran's nuclear sites earlier this year.

"We took a big cloud off the Middle East and off Israel," he says.

The US president says that "Israel, with our help, has won all they can", adding that now it's time for "peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East".

He mentions his trip to Egypt later today, which Trump says he's now very late for, and jokes about the length of the speeches given in the Knesset before him.

"I'll be quite late - they might not be there by the time I get there," he says

Trump went on to thank his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, his adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner—who he said “loves Israel”—along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

"We had some unbelievably good people working on this," Trump says.

Turning back to Israel, Trump says "Bibi would call me so many times" asking for weapons - "so many that Israel became strong and powerful... that's what led to peace," he says.

"This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East," Trump says.

He extends his thanks to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who he calls a "man of exceptional courage".

Some in the crowd shout "Bibi" - the prime minister's nickname.

Trump also thanks the Arab nations who helped with negotiations.

It's an "incredible triumph" they worked together, he says.

Now "it will be the golden age of Israel", Trump adds, as well as the "golden age" for the whole region.

Trump’s speech was just interrupted as an opposition MK (Israeli parliament member) held up a piece of paper that said “Recognize Palestine!”.

Speaker Amir Ohana shouted a call for order amid loud disapproval against the protesting MK who was quickly escorted out.

Ohana could be heard calling the name of Ofer Cassif, a left-wing politician, but I couldn’t see who was escorted out. Local reports suggest perhaps two MKs.

Trump restarted his speech saying that was “very efficient”.

Donald Trump is greeted with applause and cheering as he begins his address to the Knesset.

"Nice place, really nice place," he says. "We gather on a day of profound joy and soaring hope."

"After two harrowing years in darkness and captivity, 20 courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their families. Twenty-eight more precious loved ones are coming home at last to rest in this sacred soil for all of time."

"The guns are silent," he says, adding that the region is now "at peace" and hopefully will remain so "for eternity".

Calling US President Donald Trump the "President of peace", the Israeli Parliament on Monday announced that it will rally support across the world to submit Trump's candidacy for a Nobel Peace Prize next year. This comes days after the US President, whose wish to win the Nobel honour, was snubbed as Venezuelan leader Maria Corina Machado won the award.

US President Donald Trump addresses the Israeli Parliament after 20 hostages released by Hamas.

Netanyahu continues to praise Donald Trump, crediting him for a short ceasefire deal struck in January that led to the release of some hostages.

Netanyahu says he believes Trump's leadership will help Israel normalise relations with more Arab countries, as he insists Israel will remain "vigilant" against future threats.

"Today the Jewish calendar marks the end of two years of war," Netanyahu says.

He goes on to pay tribute to fallen Israeli soldiers - mentioning by name some of those killed and injured.

"Because of these heroes, our nation will survive... thrive... and will have peace," the prime minister says.

During his address at the Israeli Parliament, PM Benjamin Netanyahu lauded US President Donald Trump as the ‘greatest friend’ Israel has ever had in the White House.

Netanyahu describes Trump's peace proposal as a "pivotal" step towards peace, adding: "I'm committed to this peace, you are committed to this peace, and together we will achieve this peace."

"There is no one more deserving for the Nobel Peace Prize": Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana says he will nominate Trump for next year's award.

Earlier, we reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been invited by the Egyptian presidency to attend the international summit in Sharm el-Sheikh later today.

However, his office has now confirmed that Netanyahu will not participate due to the summit’s timing, which coincides with the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

"The Prime Minister thanked President Trump for his efforts to expand the circle of peace - peace through strength," the statement says.

The final 20 surviving Israeli hostages returned on Monday from Gaza to Israel in two separate groups, as part of a deal for the Palestinian territory. US President Donald Trump arrived in Israel for a trip which will also take him to Egypt, where he will co-host a Gaza summit with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Hamas on Monday urged US President Donald Trump and the mediators of the Gaza ceasefire deal to ensure that Israel does not resume military operations in the territory.

"We welcome the statement by US President Trump, who clearly affirmed the end of Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip," Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told AFP.

"We call on all mediators and international parties to continue monitoring Israel’s conduct and to ensure it does not resume its aggression against our people in Gaza," he added.

Three of the Israeli hostages freed today have been airlifted to hospitals, the Israeli military confirmed. Among them are Alon Ohel, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, and Omri Miran, who were part of the first group of seven hostages released. After an initial medical evaluation, they were flown by Israeli Air Force helicopters for further treatment and will soon reunite with their families, the IDF said.

Omri Miran, 48, was photographed embracing his wife, Lishay, at the initial reception point in southern Israel. He was abducted from his home in Nahal Oz during the October 7 attacks. Lishay last saw him being taken away in his own car. In April 2025, Hamas released a video of Omri marking his 48th birthday, prompting Lishay to say, “I always said, and I always knew—Omri is a survivor.”

Israel said that the last 20 living hostages released by Hamas on Monday had arrived in the country. "Welcome home," the foreign ministry wrote in a series of posts on X, hailing the return of Matan Angrest, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Elkana Bohbot, Rom Braslavski, Nimrod Cohen, David Cunio, Ariel Cunio, Evyatar David, Guy Gilboa Dalal, Maxim Herkin, Eitan Horn, Segev Kalfon, Bar Kuperstein, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, Yosef Haim Ohana, Alon Ohel, Avinatan Or and Matan Zangauker.

The first of 38 buses carrying Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli prisons has crossed into Gaza, the Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office says.

Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas are to attend Monday's Sharm El-Sheikh summit on Gaza, according to a statement released by the Egyptian presidency.

US President Donald Trump called Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with the Israeli premier "and it was agreed (Netanyahu) would attend the peace summit in which Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas will also participate".

Hamas handed over the 20 surviving Israeli hostages on Monday under a ceasefire agreement, as US President Donald Trump and other world leaders geared up for a summit on Gaza.

The European Union will Wednesday restart a civilian mission to monitor the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in support of a US-brokered ceasefire deal, the bloc's top diplomat said Monday.

"The EU stands ready to do its part," Kaja Kallas posted on X after Hamas released a first group of Israeli hostages as part of the agreement. "This mission can play an important role in supporting the ceasefire," she said.

US President Donald Trump, who arrived in Israel on Monday, is set to address the Israeli Parliament after Hamas released the 20 surviving Israelis two years after the October 7, 2023, attacks. Watch Trump's address here:

• Hamas handed over 20 surviving Israeli hostages on Monday under a US-brokered ceasefire.
• Donald Trump visited Israel ahead of a Gaza peace summit in Egypt to oversee the deal.
• Emotional scenes erupted in Tel Aviv, with families celebrating while mourning hostages who did not survive.
• In exchange, Israel is set to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees, including security prisoners.
• The releases follow Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, which killed 1,219 people and captured 251 hostages.
• 27 deceased hostages and other remains are yet to be returned by Hamas.
• Trump plans to address the Knesset, meet hostage families, and co-host the summit with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
• Around 20 world leaders, including UK PM Keir Starmer, are attending the summit.
• Gaza remains devastated, with residents facing long-term reconstruction challenges.
• Key issues remain, including Hamas disarmament and Israel’s partial withdrawal.

“There are a lot of reasons why [the ceasefire] is going to hold. I think people are tired of it; it's been centuries, okay, not just recent, it's been centuries. I think people are tired of it. Yeah, the ceasefire is going to hold,” the US President added.

US President Donald Trump has arrived at the Israeli Knesset as Hamas releases 20 Israeli hostages after two years in Gaza captivity.

Israel's Presidential Medal of Honor is the state's top civilian award, created in 2012 by Shimon Peres and revived by Isaac Herzog in 2022. It honours leaders, artists, philanthropists and public servants for exceptional service to Israel or humanity.

Hamas handed over all 20 surviving Israeli hostages to Red Cross representatives in Gaza on Monday, Israel’s public broadcaster reported. The group was released in two batches, with a second group of 13 hostages transferred in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, the broadcaster said.

After 738 days of captivity in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, attacks, Hamas on Monday released all 20 Israeli hostages as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal.

Hamas handed over the first seven of 20 surviving Israeli hostages to Red Cross representatives in Gaza on Monday, with a convoy of the humanitarian organisation on its way to pick up a second group.

Freed hostage Bar Kupershtein reunites with his family at the Re’im base, close to the Gaza border.

The first seven released hostages have arrived at the initial reception point in Israel, the country's military says. They'll have a medical check there before being reunited with their families, it adds.