Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday called President Donald Trump the “greatest friend” Israel has ever had, as Hamas released the last 20 living hostages under a Trump-brokered peace agreement, as reported [1] by Fox News.
“No American president has ever done more for Israel,” Netanyahu said. “It ain’t even close.”
The Israeli leader thanked Trump for his support at the United Nations, his recognition of Israel’s rights in the West Bank — referred to by Israel as Judea and Samaria — and his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, which he described as “disastrous.”
Netanyahu also credited Trump for “supporting Operation Rising Lion” and for the “bold decision” to launch “Operation Midnight Hammer,” referencing June airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“Boy, you got to hear this — this is the most fitting name ever given to a military operation, because a little after midnight, you really hammered them,” Netanyahu said.
During the ceremony, Netanyahu announced that he had nominated Trump to become the first non-Israeli recipient of the Israel Prize, which he called the nation’s “highest award.”
Trump, speaking alongside Netanyahu, responded with a smile, saying, “He’s not easy — not the easiest guy to deal with — but that’s what makes him great.”
The announcement came as the final stage of a landmark peace deal took effect. Hamas released the remaining 20 living hostages in exchange for Israel freeing 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The exchange was part of a broader 20-point peace plan developed under Trump’s mediation team to end the two-year conflict that followed Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.
That attack killed more than 1,200 Israelis and resulted in approximately 240 hostages being taken into Gaza, sparking two years of warfare that left tens of thousands dead.
As part of the new peace deal, Israel halted military operations and withdrew to agreed-upon lines to facilitate the release process.
Under the agreement, Hamas members who renounce violence are offered amnesty or safe passage, while those who continue militant activity are excluded from Gaza’s future governance.
Humanitarian aid and infrastructure rebuilding will proceed under the supervision of the United Nations, the Red Crescent, and other international agencies.
Governance in Gaza will transition to a technocratic Palestinian committee, overseen by an international “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump and joined by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other global leaders.
The board will manage Gaza’s reconstruction until a restructured Palestinian Authority can take control.
Trump’s postwar development initiative, which he described as “a plan for prosperity and peace,” aims to attract global investment to turn Gaza into “a thriving modern miracle city.”
The project includes the creation of a special economic zone with preferential trade terms and voluntary participation for Gaza’s residents.
Security provisions of the agreement include the formation of a U.S.-led International Stabilization Force to train local police, secure Gaza’s borders, and oversee the disarmament of militant factions.
Israel will not occupy Gaza but will gradually withdraw as security benchmarks are achieved, with Egypt and Jordan playing roles in regional monitoring and compliance.
The deal marks the first major international peace framework under Trump’s leadership since his return to the White House and represents a significant diplomatic achievement between Israel and its regional neighbors.