US President Donald Trump, addressing the Israeli Knesset, encouraged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to adopt a softer approach post-ceasefire, following the finalized US-brokered deal with Hamas. “Be nicer now, Bibi, you’re not at war,” Trump advised, referring to Netanyahu by his childhood nickname. He characterized the agreement as a breakthrough that “effectively ends the war and opens the door to durable peace” in West Asia, crediting both himself and Netanyahu. The deal facilitated the return of 20 hostages held by Hamas and the release of Palestinian prisoners. Trump, during his visit to Israel, framed this moment as a “historic dawn of a new Middle East,” asserting that his administration was instrumental in ending the conflict and securing the hostages’ freedom. He predicted a “golden age for Israel,” drawing parallels to the current state of the US, and concluded with an optimistic prophecy of eternal peace for the holy land and the wider region. The address was met with strong approval from the assembled lawmakers.
