Live updates: Trump touts peace in the Middle East at ceasefire summit

The four coffins are being taken to the National Institute for Forensic Medicine in Israel, where they will be identified.

“The IDF urges the public to act with sensitivity and wait for official identification, which will first be communicated to the families of the deceased hostages,” the IDF said in a statement.

According to the White House, the following countries attended the summit:

• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Bahrain
• Canada
• Cyprus
• Egypt
• The European Union
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• India
• Indonesia
• Iraq
• Iran
• Italy
• Japan
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Palestinian Authority
• Paraguya
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Spain
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom

The Arab League secretary general, UN secretary general, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and the president of FIFA are also in attendance.

Trump noted that many people have theorized that World War III would begin in the Middle East. He said that, thanks to this deal, that won’t happen — in the Middle East or anywhere.

“There won’t be a World War III,” Trump said.

“The momentous breakthrough that we’re here to celebrate tonight is more than the end of the war in Gaza,” Trump said. “With God’s help, it’ll be the new beginning for an entirely beautiful Middle East. From this moment forward, we can build a region that’s strong and stable and prosperous and united in rejecting the path of terror once and for all. We want to get rid of the terror and get onto other things.”

Trump also said the newly created “Board of Peace” may be expanded because of how many have expressed interest in being involved.

He said next steps will focus on the future of Gaza, including economic commitments.

Trump emphasized the demilitarization of Gaza, with a multinational force providing security for the territory.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his country is nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in stopping the war between India and Pakistan, as well as achieving a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Trump, who has claimed to end several wars during his presidency, has repeatedly pushed for a Nobel Prize.

The White House condemned the Nobel Committee’s decision to award the 2025 prize to someone else, though Trump’s achievements occurred after the nominating period for the award had ended.

The president thanked Arab countries that have been involved in the negotiations, including Egypt, which is hosting the summit.

Trump also praised the emir of Qatar, a country that has acted as an intermediary with Hamas.

He also praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as the leaders of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

“This is the day that people across this region and around the world have been working, striving, hoping, and praying for,” Trump said.

Although negotiations are still ongoing, the president said leaders have achieved “peace in the Middle East.”

He celebrated the end of the war in Gaza and the amount of aid flowing into the Gaza Strip.

Before he spoke, Trump was awarded one of Egypt’s highest honors, the Order of the Nile, by President El-Sissi.

“This is an incredible day for the world,” Trump said.

At the peace summit, which includes numerous international leaders, negotiations are ongoing on future phases of the ceasefire in the war in Gaza.

“According to information provided by the Red Cross, two coffins of deceased hostages have been transferred into their custody and are on their way to IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip,” the Israeli Defense Forces said in a statement. “Following this, there will be an additional transfer of another two coffins of deceased hostages. Hamas is required to uphold the agreement and take the necessary steps to return all the deceased hostages.”

Trump’s peace proposal for Gaza includes a transitional government overseen by a “Board of Peace,” which he will lead.

Trump suggested Egypt’s president could also serve a role on the board.

“I think we have a long list of applicants,” said special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Trump agreed, saying there is a long list of countries that have asked to take part.

Arriving in Egypt, Trump praised President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.

“They had a very important role with Hamas,” Trump said of Egypt’s role. “He played a very important role.”

Trump said as far as he is concerned, Hamas and Israel are in Phase 2 of the deal.

He also commented on the remains of Israeli hostages that have not yet been returned.

“They’re looking for bodies. The search parties are out. They’re doing it in conjunction with Israel,” Trump said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that Egypt will play an important role in continuing to negotiate the ceasefire and its implementation.

“You will see some tremendous progress in the Middle East,” Trump said.

El-Sissi praised Trump as well, saying the deal would not have been possible without him.

A hospital caring for released Israeli hostages said they are being admitted and that each will have a personal medical care team.

“This marks a moment of closure and the beginning of a journey of healing,” said Dr. Lena Koren Feldman, director of Beilinson Hospital.

“When peace is achieved for one part of the world, it brings more hope for peace in other regions where life is still under threat,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on social media. “In Ukraine, we welcome all the efforts that have led to today’s outcome for the Middle East. The hostages have been freed, and the war in Gaza is coming to an end. This is truly an extraordinary event. The leadership and determination of President Trump.”

“The returning hostages underwent an initial medical assessment and are on their way to the hospitals, where they are expected to meet the rest of their family members and receive continued medical treatment,” the Israeli Defense Forces said.

Trump concluded his speech to the Knesset by saying their countries had “done the impossible” in getting the remaining hostages back ahead of a peace summit in Egypt.

“We have confronted evil together, we have waged war together, and perhaps most beautifully of all, we have made peace together. And this week, against all odds, we have done the impossible, and brought our hostages home,” he said.

President Donald Trump turned to Israeli President Isaac Herzog and said he should pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his corruption and bribery cases.

The chamber erupted in applause.

Netanyahu is accused of taking tens of thousands of dollars worth of cigars and champagne in exchange for personal and business help, according to the Associated Press.

President Trump said he was “proud” to terminate the Iran nuclear deal signed in the 2010s by the Obama administration.

“This was a disaster for Israel and a disaster for everyone,” Trump said.

“I terminated the Iran nuclear deal, and I was very proud to do it,” he added.

But he said the opportunity for Iran to be a friendly nation to Israel still exists, and Trump said he is not closing the door on cooperation with Iran.

“The hand of friendship and cooperation is open,” Trump said.

President Trump said it was time to end the war as the world was growing weary of the conflict.

“The timing of this is brilliant,” Trump said. “I said, ‘[Prime Minister Netanyahu], you’re going to be remembered for this far more than if you had kept this thing going.'”

“I congratulate you for having the courage to say we won,” Trump continued.

Trump also said this was a historic opportunity for Palestinians to seize.

“Now’s the time to concentrate on building your people up and not tearing Israel down,” Trump said.

President Trump, along with Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, praised “Operation Midnight Hammer,” which targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Trump specifically praised Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and architect of the strike.

“This is a real general, not a TV general,” Trump said.

Trump said he’ll have to update his claim of ending seven wars to eight, now that the hostages have returned home and as talks continue toward a lasting peace in the Middle East.

He acknowledged the horrors of the day that sparked the war, when Hamas killed and kidnapped Israelis in a surprise attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

“America joins you in those two everlasting vows: Never forget and never again,” Trump said.

Two members of parliament were removed from the chamber as Trump’s speech began. They apparently shouted while Trump was speaking.

“That was very efficient,” Trump said of their removal.

“Generations from now, this will be remembered as the moment that everything began to change,” President Donald Trump said to Israel’s parliament.

As politicians pointed to the hope of a new day in Israel’s Knesset, a group representing the families of hostages said Hamas did not hold up its end of the agreement.

Only four of the 28 deceased hostages were returned, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

“This represents a blatant breach of the agreement by Hamas. We expect Israel’s government and the mediators to take immediate action to rectify this grave injustice,” their statement read.

Netanyahu concluded his remarks by saying he would nominate President Trump to be the first non-Israeli to win the Israel Prize, the country’s highest civilian honor.

“As to that other prize, it’s just a question of time. You’ll get it,” Netanyahu said, in a nod to Trump’s quest for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Netanyahu praised his military’s efforts since Oct. 7, 2023.

He singled out Ari Spitz, an American-Israeli who lost three limbs as he investigated a Hamas tunnel rigged to explode.

“You are the spirit of Joshua,” Netanyahu said. “You are the spirit of David, you are the spirit of the Maccabees, you are the spirit of Israel. I salute you. We all salute you.”

“Donald Trump is the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said to start his remarks to the Knesset on Monday.

“You are committed to this peace, I am committed to this peace, and together we will achieve this peace,” Netanyahu said.

All of the freed hostages have crossed back into Israel, the country’s foreign ministry says on X.

President Trump arrived in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, to a nearly 2-minute standing ovation. He and his administration officials are being thanked by name as the special session begins.

President Trump is expected to call for an end to decades-old rivalries and grudges, according to a preview excerpt from his expected remarks.

“From Gaza to Iran, those bitter hatreds have delivered nothing but misery, suffering and failure,” the speech text reads.

Trump is expected to address Israel’s parliament soon.

President Trump invited Netanyahu to a peace summit in Egypt, NewsNation has learned. It was previously unclear if Netanyahu would receive an invitation.

Netanyahu declined the invitation, citing the upcoming holidays of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, which begin Monday night. It’s traditional to avoid working during this time, which in Israel traditionally lasts 24 hours but can last up to two days.