Grateful Nation's Response
When the surviving Israeli hostages were released from captivity under a ceasefire agreement, it sparked an outpouring of appreciation for Donald Trump
across Israel. The sentiment was prominently displayed in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where various expressions of gratitude emerged. Images circulated by CNN, Reuters, and the Associated Press revealed the depth of the public’s thanks. The return of the hostages led to scenes of joy, tears, and singing among the crowd that gathered in Tel Aviv to support the hostage families, though the pain for the loss of those who had not survived was palpable. This collective expression of gratitude highlighted the perceived impact of Trump's involvement in the ceasefire and the hostage-prisoner swap.
Massive Displays of Thanks
In Tel Aviv, a huge and impressive display was created on the beach in front of the US Embassy branch office. This artwork stretched across three football fields, creating a vivid message. The installation featured an outline of Trump's profile, flanked by the words "thank you" and "home" in blue and yellow. The organizers stated that the display was intended to be visible to Trump from his plane, as well as to returning hostages from helicopters transporting them back to their homes. Further expressions of thanks included large banners in Jerusalem. These banners depicted Trump as a Nobel Peace Prize winner, alongside the US and Israeli flags, with one banner reading, "You are our winner!"
Ceasefire and Releases
The ceasefire, brokered by Trump, facilitated the exchange of hostages for prisoners. The agreement saw Hamas hand over 20 surviving Israeli hostages on Monday. In return, Israel was set to release almost 2,000 detainees held in its jails. According to an Israeli official, 13 other hostages were later released. The Israeli military and security service stated that seven hostages had been transferred into the custody of the Red Cross. This was a part of a wider ceasefire agreement facilitated by Trump, who arrived in Israel shortly before a trip to Egypt for a peace summit. This led to the declaration that the war was officially over.
