‘Nightmare is finally over’: Trump in Israel declares end of Gaza war

TEL AVIV: Calling the Gaza ceasefire “the historic dawn of a new Middle East,” US President Donald Trump on Monday said the forces of “chaos, terror, and ruin” have been defeated, and the “long and painful nightmare” is finally over not only for Israelis but also for Palestinians.

Hailing the US-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, Trump said now it will be the “Golden Age” of Israel and the Middle East.

Addressing the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, Trump said that the entire region endorsed the plan of demilitarising Gaza and disarming Hamas. “It is not only the End of a war–it is the END of an age of terror and death”.

“This week, against all odds, we have done the IMPOSSIBLE AND BROUGHT OUR HOSTAGES HOME.” – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/FAIo5ssQzh

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 13, 2025

In the first US presidential address to the Israeli parliament, since 2008, Trump said, “This long and difficult war has ended. In an unprecedented achievement, virtually the entire region has endorsed the plan that Gaza will be demilitarised and Hamas will be disarmed, and Israel’s security will not be threatened.”

Trump said that Israel won all that it could with arms, and now there will be peace in the entire Middle East. “Israel has won all that they can by force of arms. Now, it’s time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of PEACE and PROSPERITY for the entire Middle East. Across the Middle East, the forces of chaos, terror, and ruin that have plagued the region for decades now stand weakened… defeated. A new coalition of proud and responsible nations is emerging–and because of us, the enemies of all civilisation are in retreat”, he said.

He further said that there is peace at last for Israelis and Palestinians. “For so many families across this land, it has been years since you have known a single day of true peace. But now, at last — not only for Israelis but also for Palestinians and for many others — the long and painful nightmare is finally OVER,” he said.

Trump said that after thousands of Israeli civilians were attacked two years ago on October 7, 2003, there would be everlasting peace. Hamas attacks claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives and resulted in the abduction of 251 people.

“Two years ago… thousands of innocent Israeli civilians were attacked by terrorists in one of the most evil and heinous desecrations of innocent life the world has ever seen… please know that America joins you in those two everlasting vows–NEVER FORGET, and NEVER AGAIN. Generations from now, this will be remembered as the moment that everything began to change… Like the USA right now, it will be the GOLDEN AGE of Israel and the Golden Age of the Middle East.”

Trump then said that for the Middle East, this is the end of terror, and a new beginning. “This is not only the End of a war — it is the END of an age of terror and death, and the BEGINNING of the age of faith, hope, and of God… This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East. After two harrowing years in darkness and captivity, 20 courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their families… And after so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today, the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a Holy Land that is FINALLY AT PEACE–a land and a region that will live, God willing, in peace for all eternity,” he said.

Trump, without elaborating much, said that in his tenure, he “settled eight wars”. “If we go into a war, we are going to win it like nobody ever has won it before…We will not be politically correct. We have settled 8 wars in 8 months, including this one,’ he said.

Trump then said that now, “productive and responsible nations” of the Middle East region should not be adversaries, but friends. “It’s more obvious than ever that the productive and responsible nations of this region should not be enemies or adversaries, you should be partners — and eventually even friends. The choice for Palestinians could not be more clear. This is their chance to turn forever from the path of terror and violence… The total focus of Gazans must be on restoring the fundamentals… so they can finally have the better life their children deserve,” he said.

Trump called for an end to extremism and anti-Semitism. “It should now be clear to everyone throughout the region that decades of fomenting terrorism and extremism, jihadism and anti-Semitism, have not worked… From Gaza to Iran, those bitter hatreds have delivered nothing but misery, suffering, failure, and death,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Trump listened to all the hostages narrating their ordeals.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Yechiel (Michael) Leiter welcomed Trump to the airport, and highlighted their heartfelt conversation.

Welcome, @POTUS @realDonaldTrump! It’s truly an honor to welcome you to the Holy Land.
When you shook my hand on the airport tarmac, you said:
“You know your son is looking down at you with a smile, you know that, right?”
My heart burst.
I told you that when Moshe led his forces… pic.twitter.com/TzoLSEna9K

— Ambassador Yechiel (Michael) Leiter (@yechielleiter) October 13, 2025

Speaker of The Knesset, Amir Ohana shared glimpses of Trump’s arrival at the Israeli Parliament.

Welcome to the Knesset @POTUS @realDonaldTrump, welcome to Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/SvayoejkAt

— Amir Ohana – אמיר אוחנה (@AmirOhana) October 13, 2025

For the first time in over two years, Hamas held no living hostages in its captivity.

Reporter: “Is the war now officially over?” @POTUS: “Yes.”

President Trump speaks with reporters at the Knesset in Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/rdiFrRkEye

— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) October 13, 2025

“This is my great honor — a great and beautiful day. A new beginning,” Trump said earlier while signing the guestbook at the Knesset in Jerusalem.

President Donald J. Trump signs the guest book at the Knesset

“This is my great honor – A great and beautiful day. A new beginning.” pic.twitter.com/JZrhTm0JRU

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 13, 2025

Peace pic.twitter.com/GlqAaBYqG1

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 12, 2025

President Donald J. Trump arrives in Israel and is greeted by @IsraeliPM Netanyahu and Israeli President @Isaac_Herzog, marking the start of a historic day. pic.twitter.com/kJx9nR0a2b

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 13, 2025

Air Force One was welcomed to Israeli airspace by Ben Gurion Airport control tower: “Welcome to the state of Israel, Mr. President. Your visit carries deep meaning for people in this time. Thank you for your friendship and unbreakable bond between our nations. God bless America and God bless Israel.”

Welcome to Israel, @POTUS @realDonaldTrump!

The Israeli people welcome you with so much love and so much gratitude!

Thank you for all you have done to bring our hostages home! Thank you for your commitment to building a better future of peace in our region! God bless… pic.twitter.com/T4jAUI8Qx7

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) October 13, 2025

I wondered if I would ever see this day. It’s deeply gratifying to know that so many families will finally have their loved ones home. Today, twenty families are spared the unbearable pain of not knowing if they will ever see their loved ones again. But even in this moment of…

— Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions) October 13, 2025

President @realDonaldTrump is en route to the Knesset in Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/g5i7qTpe2z

— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) October 13, 2025

President Trump departs Ben Gurion Airport, en route to Jerusalem… pic.twitter.com/6OJlDiOnZI

— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) October 13, 2025

The view aboard Air Force One, as President Trump will soon be landing in Israel.

It’s a new dawn in the Middle East… pic.twitter.com/DzMCf1dS39

— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) October 13, 2025

A VIEW FROM AIR FORCE ONE, flying over the beach front of the U.S. Embassy branch in Tel Aviv…

pic.twitter.com/CA9EZ1R89f

— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) October 13, 2025

Air Force One flies over sign thanking President Trump on the beach of Tel Aviv! pic.twitter.com/6x0SMVpTUm

— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) October 13, 2025

Arrival ceremony in Israel for President @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/DftD6DO05B

— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) October 13, 2025

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said in a post on X, “I wondered if I would ever see this day. It’s deeply gratifying to know that so many families will finally have their loved ones home. Today, twenty families are spared the unbearable pain of not knowing if they will ever see their loved ones again. But even in this moment of relief and happiness, my heart aches for those whose loved ones will not return alive. Bringing their bodies home is a must and an act of dignity and honors their memory forever. I can’t help but feel the presence of my son Andrew at this moment. I am profoundly grateful for the indomitable spirit of President Trump. This day would not have been possible without him.”

I wondered if I would ever see this day. It’s deeply gratifying to know that so many families will finally have their loved ones home. Today, twenty families are spared the unbearable pain of not knowing if they will ever see their loved ones again. But even in this moment of…

— Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions) October 13, 2025

Release of Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails began after Hamas freed all 20 living Israeli captives held in the Gaza Strip as part of the ceasefire deal. Trump will be heading to Egypt to co-chair an international summit on the deal, Al Jazeera reported.

The Israel-Hamas conflict has killed at least 67,869 people and wounded 170,105 since October 2023. A total of 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, and over 250 were taken captive. (ANI)