Trump Declares 'War Is Over' in Knesset After Hostage Release Deal

• October 14, 2025
• C Badenhorst
• 1 Comments

When Donald Trump, President of the United States stepped onto the podium of the Knesset in Jerusalem on October 13, 2025, he declared that the war is over. The statement came minutes after the final three hostages—taken during the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault—were released in a U.S.-brokered cease‑fire and exchange agreement that also promised a halt to large‑scale fighting.

Background to the Conflict

The October 7 attack by Hamas saw more than 1,400 Israelis killed and roughly 250 civilians captured and taken to the Gaza Strip. Over the next two years, Israel launched a series of ground and air operations that left at least 8,300 Palestinians dead, according to United Nations estimates. International pressure to secure the release of the hostages intensified, especially after the first wave of 104 captives was freed in December 2023 under a limited truce.

Negotiations stalled for months as Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel balanced military objectives with humanitarian concerns. By early 2025, the United States, under Trump’s administration, re‑entered the talks, positioning itself as the sole mediator willing to offer a concrete pathway for a hostage swap.

The U.S.-Brokered Ceasefire and Hostage Deal

On September 30, 2025, U.S. diplomats presented a draft agreement that would exchange 1,200 kilograms of humanitarian aid for the remaining 107 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. The plan also stipulated a 90‑day ceasefire, monitored by a joint Israeli‑U.S. team, and a commitment from Hamas to halt rocket launches.

When the final three captives walked out of the Rafah crossing on the morning of October 13, the world watched. Trump, who arrived in Tel Aviv the previous night, met the freed families in a moving gathering at the Israeli Defense Forces’ headquarters. "These brave men and women, and their families, have endured a nightmare we could not imagine," Trump said, his voice reverberating through the crowded hall.

The ceasefire, effective at 0600 GMT on October 13, was celebrated with a joint press conference in the Knesset’s Grand Hall. The agreement also included a provision for a phased reconstruction fund of $2.3 billion, earmarked for Gaza’s devastated infrastructure.

Reactions Inside Israel

Amir Ohana, Speaker of the Knesset rose to give a standing ovation, describing Trump as "a colossus who will be enshrined in the pantheon of history." The applause lasted for nearly two minutes, reflecting the emotional release felt by many legislators.

Netanyahu, flanked by senior ministers, praised the deal as "the culmination of relentless effort and hard‑won sacrifice." In his remarks, he noted, "The most difficult work was that of the prime minister – deciding when to be hard on Hamas and when to show restraint. Without those decisions, we would not be here today."

Public opinion polls released by the Israel Democracy Institute on October 14 showed a 68% approval rating for the ceasefire among Israeli voters, a notable rise from 45% just a month earlier.

International Perspective

European diplomats were quick to acknowledge the diplomatic breakthrough. Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said, "The release of the hostages is a humanitarian triumph, and we commend the United States for facilitating this outcome. However, we remain cautious about the durability of the cease‑fire without a clear path to Hamas’s disarmament."

Analysts in Washington, such as Michael O'Hanlon, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, warned that "the real test will be whether the 90‑day pause can evolve into a political settlement that addresses the underlying grievances of both sides."

Conversely, critics in the United Nations highlighted the lack of a firm mechanism for verifying Hamas’s adherence to the agreement, noting that similar pauses in 2021 had collapsed within weeks.

Challenges Ahead

While the immediate humanitarian crisis has eased, several thorny issues remain unresolved. First, the agreement does not require Hamas to surrender its arsenal, leaving Israel vulnerable to future rocket attacks. Second, the reconstruction fund for Gaza is contingent on transparent oversight, a point of contention between Israeli officials and Palestinian authorities.

Furthermore, Iran’s reaction—issuing a stern statement warning against "U.S. interference"—suggests that regional dynamics could still destabilize the fragile peace. Experts like Dr. Ayelet Shaked, professor of Middle‑East studies at Tel‑Aviv University, argue that "without a comprehensive regional security framework, any ceasefire remains a temporary bandage."

Nevertheless, Trump’s bold proclamation that the war is over has reshaped the diplomatic narrative. Whether this moment marks a genuine turning point or a brief interlude will depend on the next few months of implementation.

What Comes Next?

The joint Israeli‑U.S. monitoring team is set to begin its first patrol of the Gaza border on October 15, aiming to verify the cessation of hostilities. Simultaneously, humanitarian convoys funded by the reconstruction package are scheduled to arrive in Rafah by the end of the month.

Political leaders in both Jerusalem and Washington have signaled a willingness to convene a broader Middle‑East summit later this year, hoping to involve Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia in discussions about a lasting peace framework.