Ivanka Trump was met with chants of ‘Thank you, Trump’ as she addressed a crowd in Tel Aviv, Israel on Saturday.
The President’s eldest daughter, aged 43, spoke following the successful negotiation of a peace deal to free hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. “The return of each hostage is not only a moment of homecoming and relief, it’s a triumph of faith, of courage and of our shared humanity,” Ivanka told the thousands gathered as dusk fell.
“We pray, and so many people are working so hard…so hard to ensure that this coming week is one of healing for you all. One of healing as we begin and embark on the next chapter, which God willing, after far too long, will be a lasting and enduring peace.” The news emerges as humiliation for Bridget Phillipson as Israel rejects her claim over UK role in ending war.
She continued, stating that “we are all praying for Monday and beyond.”, reports the Express US.
Monday at 12pm local time marks the end of Trump’s ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
This implies that any failure to release all the hostages, and comply with the terms of the peace negotiation, could provoke a severe reaction from Israel and its allies.
Ceasefire enters second day
The Gaza ceasefire remained intact on its second day as tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians returned to their neighbourhoods on Saturday and Israelis eagerly anticipated Monday’s expected liberation of the remaining hostages.
“Gaza is completely destroyed. I have no idea where we should live or where to go,” lamented Mahmoud al-Shandoghli in Gaza City, as bulldozers sifted through the remnants of two years of conflict. A young lad scaled a ruined building to hoist the Palestinian flag.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was met with jeers as Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Kushner took to the stage at the weekly rally, joined by Ivanka.
“To the hostages themselves, our brothers and sisters, you are coming home,” Witkoff assured the crowd, estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands. Kushner announced they would celebrate on Monday, when Israel’s military has stated that the remaining 48 hostages in Gaza would be released.
The government estimates around 20 are still alive.
Approximately 200 U.S. troops have landed in Israel to oversee the ceasefire with Hamas. They will establish a hub to streamline the delivery of humanitarian aid as well as logistical and security support.
“This great effort will be achieved with no U.S. boots on the ground in Gaza,” declared Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of the U.S. military’s Central Command. Israel confirmed that Witkoff, Kushner and Cooper held meetings with senior U.S. and Israeli military officials in Gaza on Saturday.