Trump Declares Gaza War ‘Over’ During Israeli Parliament Speech, Faces Hecklers

Trump was Welcomed Like a Hero in Israel, as a Billboard said, “You are our winner,” with an Image of him on a Medal.

US President Donald Trump is addressing Israel's parliament, the Knesset, before joining a Middle East peace summit in Egypt. During the speech, two members of Knesset were removed from the hall after raising posters reading ”recognize Palestine".

Donald Trump is in Israel amid the release of Israeli hostages by Palestinian militant outfit Hamas, bringing the two-year-long Gaza war to a halt.

Trump’s Welcome in Israel

Upon arrival, the US President was greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Trump reportedly told Netanyahu, “It’s a great day. Maybe your best day,” to which Netanyahu responded, “This is history.”

Meanwhile, Trump was welcomed like a hero in Israel as a billboard said “You are our winner,” with an image of him on a medal. Previously, Netanyahu had nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize 2025. Benjamin Netanyahu described him as the "greatest friend" Israel has ever had in the White House.

George W. Bush was the last US President to speak before the Knesset in 2008.

Herzog said in a statement: “From his unwavering support for the State of Israel, to the advent of the Abraham Accords which expanded the circle of peace in our region, from the two historic agreements that brought our dear hostages home and saved countless lives, to the decisive strike on Iran’s nuclear program, President Trump’s voice has always been one of courage and leadership, and of steadfast commitment to the pursuit of peace and humanity,” Herzog’s office said.

Dawn of a New Middle East

In the Israeli Parliament, Trump said, “This is not only the end of a war. This is the end of an age of terror and death, and the beginning of the age of faith and hope and of god. It’s the start of a grand concord and lasting harmony for Israel and all the nations of what will soon be a truly magnificent region. This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East.”

Trump’s Speech Interrupted by Hecklers

Two Israeli lawmakers, identified as Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif, were seen being removed from the Knesset gathering after they displayed the posters reading ‘recognize Palestine’ during Trump's speech.

“That was efficient,” said Trump after the brief interruption.

Ayman Odeh, one of the two lawmakers removed from Knesset, later took to X and said, “They removed me from the plenum just because I raised the simplest demand, a demand that the entire international community agrees on: To recognize a Palestinian state. To recognize this simple reality.”

“There are two people here, and neither is going anywhere,” Odeh said.

Ofer Cassif also wrote on X that he and his friend Ayman Odeh did not “come to disturb, but to demand justice.”

“True peace that will save both peoples of this land from destruction will only come with the end of the occupation and apartheid and the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel,” Cassif wrote on X.

“Refuse to be occupiers! Resist the government of bloodshed!” his post read.

Gaza War

More than 67,000 people have been killed in Israel’s attack on Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Large swaths of the enclave have been destroyed, and famine has been declared in several parts of northern Gaza. Around 1,200 people were killed and about 250 were taken hostage in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

The Peace Deal

As part of a new cease-fire, mediated by the US, seven Israeli hostages were set free just before Trump’s arrival, and the other 13 remaining living hostages were handed over to the Red Cross. Over 1,700 Palestinians detained by Israel were also prepared for release to Gaza and 250 to the West Bank, Jerusalem, and other countries in exchange.

Trump’s address to the Israeli Parliament underscored his intent to position the US as a key player in a renewed push for diplomacy and stability, shaping the region’s future, which is still reeling from conflict.