'The war Is over': Trump urges Israel to seize historic chance for peace

Jerusalem: President Donald Trump told Israeli lawmakers on Monday 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.

Although the US-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas remains fragile, 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, which welcomed him as a hero.

“Israel, with our help, has won all that they can by force of arms,” Trump said. “You've won. I mean, 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.”

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.

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 US 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," Trump joked after needling Israeli leaders for talking so much.

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

Twenty hostages were released Monday as part of an agreement intended to end the war that began on Oct. 7, 2023, with an attack by Hamas-led militants. Trump may meet some of them at the Sheba Medical Centre, and he talked with families at the Knesset.

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

Netanyahu hailed 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 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.

“The war is over, OK?” Trump told reporters travelling with him aboard Air Force One.

“I think people are tired of it,” he said, emphasising that he believed the ceasefire would hold because of that. (AP)