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Trump Praises Netanyahu After Hostages Freed
U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking in the Israeli Knesset hours after Hamas released 20 Israeli hostages, praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by saying:
“Thank you very much, Bibi. Great job.”
He described the moment as the “historic dawn of a new Middle East,” and expressed that the hostages’ return was deeply emotional.
Hostage Release and Exchange
The hostages were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross in two batches, as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The release concluded a long ordeal for the captives, some held since the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Under the terms of the deal, Israel is expected to release over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the surviving hostages.
Reactions and Next Steps
Netanyahu and leaders in Israel lauded the deal and thanked Trump for his role in facilitating the agreement. Crowds in Israel gave Trump a standing ovation in parliament.
However, some critics warn that the agreement doesn’t resolve core issues. Questions remain about Gaza’s future governance, the fate of remaining detainees, and whether the truce will last.
