President Donald Trump puts Iran and its proxies on notice, the judge in the Charlie Kirk case rules on the side of transparency, and the United States sees a historical single-year drop in murders.
It’s Tuesday, December 30, 2025, and this is the news you need to know to start your day.
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<h2>Trump Hosts Netanyahu At Mar-a-Lago</h2>
President Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago on Monday as both countries face new tensions with Iran. The meeting came as Trump makes an end-of-year push on some of his foreign policy priorities. After the meeting, Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-says-he-supports-israel-attacking-iran-again-as-he-welcomes-netanyahu-to-mar-a-lago">said</a> that the United States would step in if Iran attempted to rebuild its military, especially its nuclear weapons program. Trump and Netanyahu also discussed the future of Gaza. The president said that “there will be hell to pay” if Hamas refuses to disarm so his peace plan can move forward.
<h2>Judge Orders Release Of Hearing In Kirk Case</h2>
A Utah judge has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/judge-orders-transcripts-audio-to-be-made-public-from-hearing-for-accused-charlie-kirk-assassin?author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Judge+Orders+Transcripts%2C+Audio+To+Be+Made+Public+From+Hearing+For+Accused+Charlie+Kirk+Assassin">ordered</a> the release of sealed hearings in the trial against Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer, Tyler Robinson. On Monday afternoon, during a hearing on the extent of media access in this case, Fourth District Judge Tony Graf Jr. ordered the release of transcripts and an audio recording from a previously closed-door session held in October. Graf ruled that, given the case&#8217;s high profile, the public has an interest in certain portions of the hearing. He said those portions that could risk the safety of anyone involved in the case can be redacted. Meanwhile, Turning Point USA continues to press forward with Kirk’s conservative mission. Reports indicate that more than 32,000 students have signed up, and the organization is now opening dozens of chapters daily.
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<h2>Murder Rate Plummets In 2025</h2>
According to a new report, 2025 saw the largest single-year drop in murders in American history. There was roughly a 20% drop in homicides from 2024 to 2025, according to the Real Time Crime Index. The drop was 13% from 2023 to 2024. Crime surged in 2021 due to the pandemic, according to the Department of Justice. Democrats have mainly attributed that increase to lockdowns; Republicans say that left-wing policies fueled the rise and led to soft-on-crime officials reaching influential positions in the justice system.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump

Morning Brief: Trump Warns Iran & Charlie Kirk Murder Revelations

Benjamin Netanyahu

Charlie Kirk

Crime

Donald Trump

Morning Wire

Turning Point USA

United States

President Donald Trump will become the first non-Israeli to receive Israel’s top civilian honor, the “Israel Prize,” announced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a press conference with the two leaders at Mar-a-Lago.
“In almost our 80 years, we’ve never awarded it to a non-Israeli, and we’re going to award it this year to President Trump,” Netanyahu said. “It’s going to be awarded to President Donald J. Trump for his tremendous contributions to Israel and the Jewish people.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
NEW: Benjamin Netanyahu announces that President Donald Trump is being awarded with the &#8220;Israel Prize.&#8221;
It has never been awarded to a non-Israeli, according to Netanyahu. <a href="https://t.co/VK7OfJsRju">pic.twitter.com/VK7OfJsRju</a>
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) <a href="https://twitter.com/KassyAkiva/status/2005746113735717048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
The award will be for the newly established peace category. 
Netanyahu said that he hopes Trump will visit Israel on its Independence Day in May to accept the prize. 
“I have to say that this reflects the overwhelming sentiment of Israelis across the spectrum,” Netanyahu said of Israeli citizens who are often split on a variety of issues but are grateful to Trump for securing the release of all living hostages from Hamas captivity. 
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Trump learned that he was being awarded the prize by Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch, who called into the Trump-Netanyahu meeting.
“That really is a great honor,” Trump responded, adding that it was “really surprising and very much appreciated.”
Following his sixth meeting with Netanyahu this year, Trump said he is focused on the future of Gaza, including the objective of getting Hamas to finally disarm, adding that it would be “horrible for them” if the terror group does not.
&#8220;It&#8217;ll be horrible for them — horrible, really, really bad for them,” Trump said. “I don&#8217;t want that to happen, but they made an agreement that they were going to disarm.&#8221;
The president said that if Hamas continues to resist, the 59 countries that backed the ceasefire will get involved, adding, &#8220;This is a real peace in the Middle East.”
&#8220;Based on the fact that Hamas pledged, they swore that they were going to disarm. Now, if they&#8217;re not going to disarm, those same countries will wipe out Hamas,” Trump said. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
&#8220;Based on the fact that Hamas pledged, they swore that they were going to disarm. Now, if they&#8217;re not going to disarm, those same countries will wipe out Hamas.&#8221; &#8211; President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/mYIBfZzCV0">pic.twitter.com/mYIBfZzCV0</a>
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2005757621278761205?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
Upon welcoming Netanyahu to his Palm Beach estate, Trump said he would support an Israeli military strike on Iran if its regime continues advancing its ballistic missile and nuclear programs.
“The missiles, yes. The nuclear, fast,” Trump said. “One would be yes, absolutely, the other was, we’ll do it immediately.” 
The president also noted that the Iranian people were expressing discontent as their country suffers from inflation, a “bust” economy, and the threat of violence or death when protesting.
“Every time they have a rioter, or someone forms a group, little or big, they start shooting people. You know, they kill people,” Trump said. “They’re vicious, vicious people.”
On Sunday and Monday, protests and strikes erupted across Tehran <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tehran-in-turmoil-irans-currency-collapse-triggers-civil-unrest-anti-regime-protests?author=Hank+Berrien&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Tehran+In+Turmoil%3A+Iran%E2%80%99s+Currency+Collapse+Triggers+Civil+Unrest%2C+Anti-Regime+Protests">following a historic collapse</a> of Iran’s currency, which reportedly plunged to 1.42 million rials to the dollar on Sunday.

President Trump Meets With Israeli PM Netanyahu At His Palm Beach Estate

Netanyahu Crowns Trump As First Non-Israeli To Win His Country’s Most Prestigious Award

Trump To Be First Non-Israeli To Win ‘Israel Prize,’ Netanyahu Announces After Mar-A-Lago Meeting

Hamas

Israel

President Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Mar-a-Lago on Monday, saying he would back another Israeli attack on Iran.
Taking questions prior to his sixth meeting with Netanyahu this term, a reporter asked Trump if he would support Israel striking Iran if the latter country continues advancing its missile or nuclear programs.
&#8220;The missiles, yes. The nuclear, fast,&#8221; Trump said. “One would be yes, absolutely, the other was, we’ll do it immediately.” 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“The missiles, yes. The nuclear, fast. One would be yes, absolutely, the other was, we’ll do it immediately.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/lTq9ocFh00">pic.twitter.com/lTq9ocFh00</a>
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) <a href="https://twitter.com/KassyAkiva/status/2005724769287872776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
The president also noted that the Iranian people were expressing discontent as their country suffers from inflation, a “bust” economy, and the threat of violence or death when protesting.
“Every time they have a rioter or someone forms a group, little or big, they start shooting people. You know, they kill people,” Trump said. “They’re vicious, vicious people.”
On Sunday and Monday, protests and strikes erupted across the Iranian capital of Tehran <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tehran-in-turmoil-irans-currency-collapse-triggers-civil-unrest-anti-regime-protests?author=Hank+Berrien&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Tehran+In+Turmoil%3A+Iran%E2%80%99s+Currency+Collapse+Triggers+Civil+Unrest%2C+Anti-Regime+Protests">following a historic collapse</a> of Iran’s currency, which plunged to 1.42 million rials to the dollar on Sunday, according to the Associated Press.
Trump and Netanyahu’s last meeting focused on the Trump-brokered 20-point plan for Gaza, which led to the release of all living hostages held by Hamas and the return of the bodies of every deceased hostage except Ran Gvili’s.
Over the weekend, Gvili’s parents met with Netanyahu when he arrived in Florida and with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, and Steve Witkoff on Monday. The family called the conversation “very positive” and said that the three advisors “stressed that the return of Ran is of great importance to President Trump, and that significant efforts are being made to bring him back.” 
“We have one wonderful young man whose parents are right here now inside,” Trump said of the Gvili family. “He’s the only one left, and we’re doing everything we can to get his body back. The parents just said, hopefully he’s alive, and I said, ‘I love you to think that way.&#8217;”
Netanyahu also met with Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hours before his meeting with Trump.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I had a great meeting in Florida with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 🇮🇱🇺🇸
פגישה מצוינת עם מזכיר המדינה של ארה״ב, מרקו רוביו.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRubio</a> <a href="https://t.co/zh2xaOrGhZ">pic.twitter.com/zh2xaOrGhZ</a>
— Benjamin Netanyahu &#8211; בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/2005661579212136478?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
Last week, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/netanyahu-announces-108-billion-domestic-arms-investment-ahead-of-trump-meeting?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Netanyahu+Announces+%24108+Billion+Domestic+Arms+Investment+Ahead+Of+Trump+Meeting">Netanyahu unveiled</a> a $108 billion plan to build an independent domestic arms industry amid ongoing debates on both sides of the aisle over foreign military aid to Israel and growing calls from some quarters to reevaluate American funding. 
Netanyahu said the investment will finance the expansion of Israel’s munitions production and other military capabilities over the next decade to “reduce our dependence on all players, including friends.” 
The United States <a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/RL/PDF/RL33222/RL33222.50.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com">provides</a> Israel with roughly $3.3 billion each year, which is used exclusively to buy American defense equipment, along with an additional $500 million annually for joint missile defense programs.
Israel’s extremely cost-efficient “Iron Beam” laser system, which can shoot down missiles, mortar rounds, and drones, is expected to be delivered to the military by the <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-to-receive-iron-beam-laser-interceptors-at-the-end-of-the-month/">end of the month</a>. Each interception is estimated to cost as little as $2, which is a sharp decline from the Iron Dome interceptor missiles that can cost between $100,000 and $1 million each. 
The Iron Beam technology, which was developed with Israel’s Rafael Defense Industries and U.S.-based Lockheed Martin, is reportedly being shared with the U.S. Army’s directed energy program, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/israel-unveils-iron-beam-laser-weapon-while-achieving-record-15b-arms-sales">reported Fox News.</a>

Trump Says He Supports Israel Attacking Iran Again As He Welcomes Netanyahu To Mar-A-Lago

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday unveiled a $108 billion, decade-long investment to build an independent Israeli munitions industry.
The announcement comes ahead of Netanyahu’s meeting with President Donald Trump next week and amid growing calls from voices on both the Left and Right to reduce or cut off United States military funding for Israel. The meeting will be the sixth time Netanyahu has met with Trump since he was inaugurated last January.
“I approved, along with the defense minister and finance minister, a sum of NIS 350 billion [$108 billion] over the next decade to build an independent Israeli munitions industry,” Netanyahu said at an Israeli Air Force pilot graduation ceremony, the Times of Israel <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-investing-more-than-100-billion-into-independent-arms-industry-netanyahu-reveals/">reported.</a>
Netanyahu said such an investment is necessary to “reduce our dependence on all players, including friends,” following several countries imposing restrictions on its weapons sales, including under former President Joe Biden’s administration.
Netanyahu will meet with President Trump on Monday at Mar‑a‑Lago, as he prepares to unveil a new governing entity for Gaza. The new Gazan government will be supported by a Trump-led Board of Peace with former U.N. envoy Nickolay Mladenov as the representative on the ground, <a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/26/trump-netanyahu-meeting-gaza-mar-a-lago">reported Axios</a>. 
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have reportedly been coordinating with Arab partners and Turkey on the second-phase of the ceasefire, which includes disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu has long advocated for reducing Israel’s dependence on other countries for military equipment. Earlier this year he said Israel would become a “super-Sparta,” a remark that drew criticism until he clarified he was referring only to the defense industry, not the broader economy.
Israel is currently the world’s eighth-largest arms exporter with $15 billion in sales in 2024. However, the Jewish state has still relied on munitions and military equipment from other countries, especially since October 7, 2023.
Israel’s extremely cost-efficient “Iron Beam” laser system which can shoot down missiles, mortar rounds and drones is expected to be delivered to the military by the <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-to-receive-iron-beam-laser-interceptors-at-the-end-of-the-month/">end of the month</a>. Each interception is estimated to cost as little as $2, which is a sharp decline from the Iron Dome interceptor missiles that can cost between $100,000 and $1 million each. 
The Iron Beam technology, which was developed with Israel’s Rafael Defense Industries and U.S.-based Lockheed Martin is reportedly being shared with the U.S. Army’s directed energy program, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/israel-unveils-iron-beam-laser-weapon-while-achieving-record-15b-arms-sales">reported Fox News.</a>
Since Israel’s war against Hamas began, several countries have restricted or halted arms exports to Israel, including Belgium, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States under former President Joe Biden.
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The United States <a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/RL/PDF/RL33222/RL33222.50.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com">currently provides</a> Israel with about $3.3 billion annually, which Israel uses exclusively to purchase American defense equipment, plus an additional roughly $500 million per year for cooperative missile defense programs.
Supporters of United States military aid to Israel say it strengthens American and Israeli security by deterring Iran, Hezbollah, and other terrorist groups. They argue that because the aid must be spent on American defense equipment, it also subsidizes American defense companies, supports domestic jobs, and allows technology to be tested in real combat which provides data that can improve the technology and United States military readiness.
A growing number of lawmakers on both sides have called for a reduction or an end to funding for Israel, including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R‑GA), Thomas Massie (R‑KY), Ilhan Omar (D‑MN), Rashida Tlaib (D‑MI), Summer Lee (D‑PA), and Al Green (D‑TX), who voted in July for <a href="https://www.jta.org/2025/07/21/politics/aoc-faces-backlash-vandalism-after-voting-against-cutting-us-aid-from-israels-iron-dome?utm_source=chatgpt.com">a failed amendment</a> to cut $500 million from the Iron Dome program. 
There is a growing number of voices within Israel opposed to accepting American funding, arguing that it limits Israel’s freedom to conduct military operations and exposes the country to political pressure associated with the aid.

Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu Meets With Trump At The White House

Netanyahu Announces $108 Billion Domestic Arms Investment Ahead Of Trump Meeting

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a letter to Australian officials warning of antisemitism in the country months before a terror attack target Jews at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.
Netanyahu wrote to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in August warning of an “alarming rise of antisemitism” and pointing out a “lack of decisive action by your government to confront it.”
In the attack on Sunday, two gunmen <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/terror-attack-on-australian-hanukkah-celebration-leaves-11-dead-dozens-wounded">killed</a> at least 11 people and injured dozens more at a celebration attended by thousands of people. Families gathered at Bondi Beach in Sydney to welcome the first night of Hanukkah. The attack is the deadliest antisemitic attack against Jews since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, invasion of Israel.
Netanyahu noted “a campaign of intimidation, vandalism and violence against Jews across the free world” waged by “pro-Hamas extremists and left-wing radicals.” The Israeli leader said the “campaign has intensified” under Albanese, noting a string of recent antisemitic incidents in what Netanyahu described as an “epidemic” of antisemitism.
“Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on this antisemitic fire. It is not diplomacy, it is appeasement. It rewards Hamas terror, hardens Hamas&#8217;s refusal to free the hostages, emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew-hatred now stalking your streets,” said Netanyahu.
Netanyahu praised President Donald Trump, offering Trump’s treatment of pro-Hamas immigrants in the United States as an example. The Trump State Department, led by Marco Rubio, has rescinded visas of immigrants who have voiced support for Hamas following the terror group’s attack against Israel.
“Prime Minister, antisemitism is a cancer. It spreads when leaders stay silent. It retreats when leaders act. I call upon you to replace weakness with action, appeasement with resolve, and to do so by a clear date: the Jewish New Year, September 23, 2025,” wrote Netanyahu. “History will not forgive hesitation. It will honor action.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Labor PM of Australia was warned <a href="https://t.co/BrqZtk7SMJ">pic.twitter.com/BrqZtk7SMJ</a>
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) <a href="https://twitter.com/marklevinshow/status/2000187904942100706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
Netanyahu <a href="https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/2000218259526664216">spoke</a> about the letter from Dimona, Israel, on Sunday, rebuking Albanese for a lack of action taken after the Israeli prime minister’s warnings.
“Instead, Prime Minister, you replaced weakness with weakness and appeasement with more appeasement. Your government did nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia. You did nothing to curb the cancer cells that were growing inside your country. You took no action. You let the disease spread. And the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today,” said Netanyahu.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Anthony Albanese

Read Bibi Netanyahu’s Warning To Australia About Rising Antisemitism

antisemitism

Australia

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the second phase of a U.S. plan to end the war in Gaza was close, but cautioned several key issues still needed to be resolved, including whether a multinational security force would be deployed.
Netanyahu, speaking to reporters alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Jerusalem, said that he would hold important discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump at the end of the month on how to ensure the plan&#8217;s second phase was achieved.
The prime minister&#8217;s office in November said that Trump had invited Netanyahu to the White House &#8220;in the near future,&#8221; although a date for the visit has not yet been made public.
Netanyahu said that he would discuss with Trump how to bring an end to Hamas rule in Gaza. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is entering its second month, although both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce agreement.
Netanyahu said that it was important to ensure Hamas not only upholds the ceasefire but also follows through on &#8220;their commitment&#8221; to the plan to disarm and for Gaza to be demilitarized.
Israel retained control of 53% of Gaza under the first phase of Trump&#8217;s plan, which involved the release of hostages held by militants in Gaza and of Palestinians detained by Israel. The final hostage remains to be handed over are those of an Israeli police officer killed on October 7, 2023 fighting Gazan militants who had invaded Israel.
&#8220;We&#8217;ll get him out,&#8221; Netanyahu said.
Since the ceasefire started in October, the militant group has reestablished itself in the rest of Gaza.
According to the plan, Israel is to pull back further in the second phase as a transitional authority is established in Gaza and a multinational security force is deployed, Hamas is disarmed, and reconstruction begins.
A multinational coordination centre has been established in Israel, but there are no deadlines in the plan and officials involved say that efforts to advance it have stalled.
&#8220;What will be the timeline? What are the forces that are coming in? Will we have international forces? If not, what are the alternatives? These are all topics that are being discussed,&#8221; Netanyahu said, describing them as central issues.
Merz said that Germany was willing to help rebuild Gaza but would wait for Netanyahu&#8217;s meeting with Trump, and for clarity on what Washington was prepared to do, before Berlin decides what it would contribute but that phase two &#8220;must come now&#8221;.
Israel has repeatedly carried out air strikes since the ceasefire came into effect that it says are fending off attacks or destroying militant infrastructure. Gaza&#8217;s health ministry says 373 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire started. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants.
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Netanyahu said that he would also discuss with Trump &#8220;opportunities for peace&#8221;, an apparent reference to U.S. efforts for Israel to establish formal ties with Arab and Muslim states.
&#8220;We believe there&#8217;s a path to advance a broader peace with the Arab states, and a path also to establish a workable peace with our Palestinian neighbours,&#8221; Netanyahu said, asserting Israel would always insist on security control of the West Bank.
Trump has said he promised Muslim leaders that Israel would not annex the occupied West Bank, where Netanyahu&#8217;s government is backing the development of Jewish settlements.
The &#8220;question of political annexation&#8221; of the West Bank remains a subject of discussion, Netanyahu said.
(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell and Andreas Rinke, additional reporting by Steven Scheer and Christoph Steitz; Editing by Louise Heavens and Philippa Fletcher)

Phase Two Of Gaza Plan: Trump, Netanyahu Prep For Next Steps

Gaza

Global Politics

World

President Donald Trump urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, saying that it would unite the country. 
In a letter to Herzog, Trump said that he believes that the case against Netanyahu is politically motivated and “unjustified.” Netanyahu has been charged with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three different cases, accusations he has strongly denied. 
Trump said that a pardon for Netanyahu would help the country focus on maintaining peace in the region now that a ceasefire with Hamas has been agreed to. 
“As the Great State of Israel and the amazing Jewish People move past the terribly difficult times of the last three years, I hereby call on you to fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a formidable decisive War Time Prime Minister, and is now leading Israel into a time of peace, which includes my continued work with key Middle East leaders to add many additional countries to the world changing Abraham Accords.” 
Trump also said that the case against Netanyahu was without merit. 
“Prime Minister Netanyahu has stood tall for Israel in the face of strong adversaries and long odds, and his attention cannot be unnecessarily diverted,” Trump wrote. “While I absolutely respect the independence of the Israeli Justice System, and its requirements, I believe that this ‘case’ against Bibi, who has fought alongside me for a long time, including against the very tough adversary of Israel, Iran, is a political, unjustified prosecution.”
“It is time to let Bibi unite Israel by pardoning him, and ending that lawfare once and for all,” Trump added. 
Herzog’s office responded to Trump’s letter, thanking him for his support, and said that Netanyahu must request a pardon for it to be considered. 
“The President of Israel holds President Trump in high regard and continues to express his appreciation for Trump’s unwavering support for Israel and his major contributions to the release of hostages, reshaping the Middle East and Gaza, and safeguarding Israel’s security,” Herzog&#8217;s office said.
&#8220;That said, as the president has repeatedly clarified, anyone seeking a pardon must submit a formal request in accordance with established procedures,” it added. 
In a speech to Israel’s Knesset in October after brokering a ceasefire deal in Gaza, Trump called for Netanyahu to be pardoned and had previously called for the trial to be cancelled.

Trump Calls On Israeli President To Pardon Netanyahu, Slams ‘Unjustified Prosecution’

Executive

Isaac Herzog

Politics

Unless you spend time in Israel, you can&#8217;t really understand the intensity of the feeling around the hostages taken by Hamas.
I think that most other countries look at this sort of situation and think, “Okay, you have a terrorist group that took hostages. Are you really willing to go house to house for two years instead of just bombing the place in order to get those hostages out? Are you really willing to sacrifice hundreds of soldiers in order to protect hostages and try to save those hostages?”
The answer in Israel is yes. 
And this has been the scimitar hanging over the head of the Israelis. 
Since the very beginning of the war, Israel has had to stop and start the war half a dozen times. Israel has had to take measures that no sane country would have to take in order to try and ensure the safety of its hostages. Israel has had to move slowly and meticulously and risk the hatred of the world in order for those hostages to get out. 
Somehow, the president of the United States, Donald J. Trump, along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was able to put together a deal in which the 20 living hostages came out all at once on Monday morning.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/bss-ep-2296-member-exclusive"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-981859 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/10/ben-banner.avif" alt="" width="1024" height="171" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/10/ben-banner.avif 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/10/ben-banner-300x50.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/10/ben-banner-768x128.jpg 768w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>
They were able to do that without allowing Hamas to fully reconstitute, while Israel is still present in 53% of the Gaza Strip.  Right now, the situation on the ground in Gaza is that Hamas is having firefights with a bunch of local militia groups over who is going to control Gaza next.
In the end, there will have to be some sort of heavy hand put on the remnants of Hamas, whether that happens from an international group in the way President Trump has discussed, or whether it happens via the IDF. We don&#8217;t know the answer to that yet.
 But what we do know is that Israel&#8217;s long national nightmare with regard to these hostages is now effectively over, because all 20 of them came out on Monday.
That is an extraordinary credit to President Trump and his team. And it catalyzed unbridled joy felt by all Israelis and Jews and good-hearted people everywhere — including the President of the United States —  over the return of the hostages. The Israelis thanked President Trump as he deserves to be thanked, putting out a gigantic display on the beach in Tel Aviv so President Trump would see it as Air Force One was flying into Ben-Gurion Airport.
In my synagogue, we have been saying a special prayer for the hostages every single day since the beginning of the war. It&#8217;s why you see all these yellow ribbons everywhere in Israel.
 When Jared Kushner thanked President Trump in Tel Aviv, the crowd went nuts. In Israel, the Trump administration has a 97% approval rating. There is no one in Israel — with very rare exceptions, typically from the radical Arab parties — that does not love President Trump.
Israelis have an overwhelming love for Donald Trump. It&#8217;s extraordinary. There were scores of standing ovations for President Trump in the Israeli parliament today. Even the leftists in Israel who don&#8217;t like President Trump love President Trump today.
When the Israel-Hamas war began, Israel was not just threatened from the Gaza Strip, where 1,200 Jews were murdered and roughly 250 were taken hostage into the Gaza Strip; Israel was threatened on its northern border by Hezbollah in Lebanon, a massively powerful terrorist group funded by Iran, run by Hassan Nasrallah. Syria was an ally of Hezbollah. Iran was threatening nuclear development. There was terrorism brewing in Judea and Samaria, the so-called West Bank.
But by the end of this war, Israel stands in a strong military posture with regard to the Gaza Strip, having completely destroyed every member of the upper echelon of Hamas. They killed Hassan Nasrallah and destroyed Hezbollah&#8217;s rocket capacity with an extraordinarily creative military action, including that famous beeper attack. They hit so hard that the Assad regime fell, thanks to the predations of Turkey pushing into power in Syria. And then Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, which involved the attacks on the Iranian nuclear facilities, capped off by President Trump&#8217;s attacks with B-2 bombers.
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It&#8217;s been an astonishing turnabout. Without that happening, the hostages don&#8217;t come out because Hamas would have had that support level. By the way, the hostages probably don&#8217;t come out unless Israel also tries to take out the Hamas leadership in Qatar, sending the signals to Qatar that either they start to play ball or things might start happening in their country as well.
Whatever the rationale, the hostages coming home is an extraordinarily historic moment, a truly historic moment.
 President Trump has now transformed the region into a place where a lasting peace could be on the way, beginning with the Abraham Accords in his first term. And now, thanks to the penetration of Hamas, the complete hammering of Hezbollah, the killing of its leadership, and the destruction or massive setbacks to the Iranian nuclear facilities. 
In a truly moving and introspective moment, President Trump said, “I don&#8217;t think there&#8217;s anything going to get me in heaven. I think I&#8217;m not maybe heaven-bound. … I&#8217;m not sure if I&#8217;m going to be able to make heaven, but I&#8217;ve made life a lot better for a lot of people.”
President Trump wants to be someone who does good for people. With all of the riffing and the comedy that he does, in the end, he wants to be thought of as someone who did good for people. 
And he does. He does it continually. 
That is why he is a unique force.
And all of Israel sees him for the hero that he is.

President Trump Visits Israel And Egypt After Gaza Ceasefire Takes Effect

Triumph: Trump Frees Hostages, Electrifies Knesset

Israeli hostages

Knesset

Peace Deal

‘Our Greatest Friend’: Bibi’s Historic Thank You To Trump At The Knesset

President Donald Trump left for Israel on Sunday to celebrate the deal he&#8217;d brokered just days earlier between Israel and Hamas, the terrorist group responsible for the brutal massacre on October 7, 2023. In the days since the agreement was reached, the litmus test has been a simple one: who is willing to give Trump credit for the work he&#8217;s done — and who isn&#8217;t?
For those who don&#8217;t spend their Sunday mornings glued to the television — and their Sunday afternoons attempting to dig through a week&#8217;s worth of network and cable news media spin — The Daily Wire has compiled a short summary of what you may have missed.
While there were some on both sides of the political aisle who were willing to acknowledge Trump&#8217;s role in securing a deal to bring the hostages home and ultimately end the war entirely, others tried to qualify his success — or even omit him from the conversation.
Vice President JD Vance, of course, was firmly in Trump&#8217;s corner as he made the rounds on the Sunday morning shows. On ABC&#8217;s &#8220;This Week,&#8221; he spoke with anchor George Stephanopoulos about phase one of the deal and the return of the last remaining hostages held in Gaza.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Vice President JD Vance confirmed to <a href="https://twitter.com/ThisWeekABC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ThisWeekABC</a> anchor George Stephanopoulos that Hamas has said they are holding 20 living hostages, and that those hostages are expected to be released in the next 24 hours. <a href="https://t.co/UfEwC9T1VW">https://t.co/UfEwC9T1VW</a> <a href="https://t.co/m2YM0mFINZ">pic.twitter.com/m2YM0mFINZ</a>
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThisWeekABC/status/1977374051581530562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Vance took a similar tone with &#8220;Face the Nation&#8221; host Margaret Brennan on CBS, telling her, &#8220;The president is actually traveling to the Middle East, likely this evening, in order to meet them and greet them in person. It&#8217;s a big day for their families, but I think more importantly, it&#8217;s a big day for the entire world.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Vice President JD Vance says he is “very confident” the Israeli hostages will be released by Monday’s deadline.
“The president is actually traveling to the Middle East, likely this evening, in order to meet them and greet them in person. It&#8217;s a big day for their families, but I… <a href="https://t.co/GHr02lZ1z6">pic.twitter.com/GHr02lZ1z6</a>
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/FaceTheNation/status/1977386745722245598?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty also spoke to Brennan and expressed confidence in Trump&#8217;s deal. &#8220;We are very hopeful that the first phase will be completed in all honesty,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We are in full contact with the Palestinians, with Hamas, because it’s all about, of course, releasing the hostages and for Israel, releasing some of the Palestinian detainees.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty says Egypt is “confident the first phase of the Trump peace plan will be implemented,” telling <a href="https://twitter.com/margbrennan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@margbrennan</a> “we are very hopeful that the first phase will be completed in all honesty” from Israel and Hamas.
“We are in full contact with… <a href="https://t.co/J1ncn5MvTq">pic.twitter.com/J1ncn5MvTq</a>
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/FaceTheNation/status/1977400339612483731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Senator Chris Murphy, however, couldn&#8217;t bring himself to directly credit Trump with the win — even when asked point blank by Brennan whether the deal marked something upon which he could agree with the president.
&#8220;I congratulate the negotiators on getting this done. There&#8217;s no politics about this moment,&#8221; he said. &#8220;But you watch those devastating images of what Gaza looks like today, and it&#8217;s both heartbreaking and infuriating that this deal has been on the table for over a year. So again, this will be a good week, but as you have reported, there are big issues to come. Israel is not fully pulling out of Gaza. There is no clear path forward on what the security and governance force is going to look like inside that country.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
In reaction to the first phase of the peace deal between Israel and Hamas, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) says “I congratulate the negotiators on getting this done. There&#8217;s no politics about this moment.”
“But you watch those devastating images of what Gaza looks like today, and it&#8217;s… <a href="https://t.co/Yz2SjimNgv">pic.twitter.com/Yz2SjimNgv</a>
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/FaceTheNation/status/1977408024877707484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
CNN anchor Dana Bash also asked her guests whether Trump deserved some credit for securing the deal. Senator <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/he-worked-this-out-senate-dem-admits-trump-deserves-a-lot-of-credit-for-gaza-deal">Mark Kelly</a> (D-AZ) told her that Trump &#8220;should get a lot of credit&#8221; for making it happen.
&#8220;I think he should get a lot of credit. I mean, this was his deal,” Kelly replied. “He worked this out. He sent [Middle East Envoy] Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner over to negotiate this. And so far, it’s gone well. Hopefully, the hostages get released here — might not be within 24 hours — but certainly, I think, by Monday. And that’s progress. And now we’re going to have to see what happens next.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Sen. Mark Kelly on ceasefire deal in Gaza: I think Trump &#8220;should get a lot of credit.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/iFopebsXTI">pic.twitter.com/iFopebsXTI</a>
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNSOTU/status/1977373195628941468?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Former President Joe Biden&#8217;s National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan was also quick to agree that Trump had earned credit by securing the ceasefire. Bash recalled Kelly&#8217;s interview and asked Sullivan whether he agreed that Trump should be lauded for getting the deal across the finish line. &#8220;Of course he does,&#8221; Sullivan said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Former Biden National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on whether Trump deserves credit for ceasefire deal in Gaza: &#8220;Of course he does.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/enthxBCStL">pic.twitter.com/enthxBCStL</a>
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNSOTU/status/1977380978344538545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
CNN guest Jamal Simmons attempted to split the baby, qualifying Trump&#8217;s success: &#8220;The problem that we see is, on one side is Donald Trump solving or doing a great job in bringing people together around the world around some of these peace issues, while at the same time dividing people at home.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
“The problem that we see is, on one side is Donald Trump solving or doing a great job in bringing people together around the world around some of these peace issues, while at the same time dividing people at home.”
Jamal Simmons, Scott Jennings, Nayyera Haq, and Rebeccah… <a href="https://t.co/TfVoGrgFyO">pic.twitter.com/TfVoGrgFyO</a>
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNSOTU/status/1977392744906502336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Even former President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/obama-snubs-trump-over-israel-hamas-peace-deal">Barack Obama</a> took some heat for praising the deal without even acknowledging who had brought it about.

TOPSHOT-US-ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-TRUMP-NETANYAHU-CONFLICT-DIPLOMACY

Spin Cycle: The Gaza Litmus Test — And Who Is Passing It

ABC News

CBS News

Fox News Sunday

Hostages

Media

NBC News

The last 20 living hostages in Gaza were freed on Monday morning, bringing an end to the 737 days of hell they endured in Hamas’ dark terror tunnels.
As part of the first phase of President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, the hostages were escorted out of Gaza by the Red Cross, transferred to the Israel Defense Forces, and reunited with their families.
Prior to being released, Hamas allowed some of the hostages to video call their families as their masked terrorists stood close by or <a href="https://x.com/avivaklompas/status/1977636413316411610?s=46&amp;t=ghpHusspWPjTMisXwpsMaA">in the frame</a>.
Upon arriving in Israel, freed hostages underwent a medical and psychosocial evaluation before reuniting with their families. Videos of the emotional reunions show the hostages embracing their loved ones.
Prior to the release, many Israelis stayed up all night, eagerly awaiting the return of the hostages.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Israelis aren’t sleeping. Everyone is glued to a screen waiting to see the hostages. This is Hostage Square at 5am. <a href="https://t.co/98758ic2f0">pic.twitter.com/98758ic2f0</a>
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) <a href="https://twitter.com/AvivaKlompas/status/1977556099164443003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The twenty released include 11 men kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival: Elkana Bohbot, 35; Rom Braslavski, 22; Evyatar David, 24; Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 23; Maxim Herkin, 35; Segev Kalfon, 27; Bar Abraham Kupershtein, 22; Eitan Abraham Mor, 23; Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 25; Alon Ohel, 24; and Avinatan Or, 32.
From Kibbutz Kfar Aza, Gali Berman, 27, and Ziv Berman, 27, were freed. From Kibbutz Nir Oz, the released include David Cunio, 35; Ariel Cunio, 28; Eitan Horn, 38; and Matan Zangauker, 25.
Also released were Omri Miran, 47, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nahal Oz, Matan Angrest, 22, who was kidnapped from the Nahal Oz outpost, and Nimrod Cohen, 21, who was kidnapped near the Gaza border.
Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were set to address the Israeli Knesset following the successful return.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas abducted 251 people from Israel, including children, women, and elderly people. A total of 168 returned home alive, and the bodies of 58 others have returned home so far.
Many of the hostages who have returned <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/israeli-hostages-reveal-harrowing-conditions-of-starvation-and-exploitation-upon-return-home">have testified</a> that they were held for long periods in dark tunnels and subjected to torture, severe starvation, and physical and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sadistic-humiliation-mutilation-and-gang-rape-were-part-of-hamas-strategy-israeli-report-shows">sexual abuse</a>.
Under the deal, Hamas is supposed to begin returning the bodies of the remaining deceased hostages, though reports indicate that some may be difficult to locate. A joint Israeli-U.S.-Qatari-Egyptian task force will be established to find any missing remains, with the goal of recovering all of them within 72 hours of the release of the living hostages, <a href="https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869940#google_vignette">The Jerusalem Post reported</a>.
In exchange for the hostages, Israel agreed to release 250 security prisoners — including some convicted of murder — along with 1,722 Gazans detained during the war. Of the 250 prisoners, 15 will be released in Jerusalem, 100 in the West Bank, and 135 will be deported to Gaza or abroad. Israel reportedly warned Palestinians in Judea and Samaria, also known as the West Bank, not to celebrate the release of Palestinian prisoners as part of the peace deal.
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According to Israeli media reports, Israeli authorities distributed fliers in neighborhoods where prisoners’ families live, stating that &#8220;anyone who participates in such activities exposes himself to punishment and arrest.&#8221;

Israeli Hostages

Final Living Israeli Hostages Freed After 737 Days In Hamas Captivity

Terrorism

On Saturday, Israeli citizens packed the streets of what&#8217;s been dubbed &#8220;Hostage Square&#8221; in Tel Aviv, showing their gratitude for President Donald Trump, who brokered a peace deal to end Israel’s two-year war in Gaza and release Israeli hostages.
Those in attendance repeatedly chanted &#8220;Thank you, Trump,&#8221; wore &#8220;MAGA&#8221; apparel, and even held a massive banner that called for the president to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
<div id="attachment_984751" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-984751" class="wp-image-984751 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/10/GettyImages-2240008731-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/10/GettyImages-2240008731-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/10/GettyImages-2240008731-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/10/GettyImages-2240008731-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/10/GettyImages-2240008731.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Chris McGrath/Getty Images</div>
Speaking to CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, the network&#8217;s international correspondent Clarissa Ward said she heard &#8220;endless applause for President Trump.&#8221; Blitzer noted many people were wearing &#8220;Make America Great Again&#8221; hats.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
&#8220;Endless applause for President Trump.&#8221;
&#8220;I even saw people wearing Make America Great Again hats in that crowd over at Hostage Square.&#8221;
THE PRESIDENT OF PEACE! <a href="https://t.co/tDuXPfdSWm">pic.twitter.com/tDuXPfdSWm</a>
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977099635069260209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
The crowd was addressed by United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, as well as Jared Kushner, who&#8217;s been acting as an informal adviser on Middle East policy, and Trump&#8217;s daughter Ivanka Trump.
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&#8220;May God bless the souls of the fallen. May God bless the hostages and their families as they return home,&#8221; Witkoff told the crowd. &#8220;May God bless the state of Israel. May God bless the United States of America. And may God bless Donald J. Trump, the greatest president the world has ever seen.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
&#8220;May God bless the souls of the fallen. May God bless the hostages and their families&#8230; May God bless the state of Israel. May God bless the United States,&#8221; says <a href="https://twitter.com/SEPeaceMissions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEPeaceMissions</a>.
&#8220;And may God bless Donald J. Trump — the greatest President the world has ever seen.&#8221; 💙 <a href="https://t.co/vp5sMCQJs8">pic.twitter.com/vp5sMCQJs8</a>
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977082795693687142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
Kushner, who&#8217;s said to have <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/international/5549996-kushner-trump-peace-deal/">played a major role</a> in negotiating the peace agreement, told the crowd he was heartbroken over the October 7 attack and proud of Israel for remaining true to its values in response.
“I put Jared there because he’s a very smart person and he knows the region, knows the people, knows a lot of the players,” Trump <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/international/5549996-kushner-trump-peace-deal/">said</a> earlier this week, addressing his son-in-law&#8217;s impactful role.
As Kushner spoke, folks in the Hostage Square chanted, &#8220;Thank you, Trump.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
“Thank you President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> for your commitment to bring this horrible conflict to an end.” <a href="https://t.co/gSGXzLEyc0">pic.twitter.com/gSGXzLEyc0</a>
— Jared Kushner (@jaredkushner) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaredkushner/status/1977117553534304752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
Ivanka told the crowd that her father always stands with the people of Israel, again to applause and chants of &#8220;Thank you, Trump.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Cheers of &#8220;THANK YOU, TRUMP!&#8221; ring out in Tel Aviv as <a href="https://twitter.com/IvankaTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IvankaTrump</a> addresses the crowd eagerly awaiting the hostages to finally come home ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/1bRGiGhIOM">pic.twitter.com/1bRGiGhIOM</a>
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977073322392277357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
Remaining Israeli hostages are expected to be released by Monday.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ben-shapiro-breaks-down-trumps-extraordinary-israel-hamas-peace-deal-and-what-comes-next">Ben Shapiro Breaks Down Trump’s ‘Extraordinary’ Israel-Hamas Peace Deal And What Comes Next</a>

Israelis gather in Tel Aviv to celebrate the ceasefire agreement reached in Gaza

Chants Of ‘Thank You, Trump’ And Calls For Nobel Peace Prize Erupt At Israel’s Hostage Square

Ivanka Trump

Jared Kushner

Steve Witkoff

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