As dusk settled over Jerusalem, President Donald Trump delivered a sweeping address to Israel’s Knesset, framing it as a turning point in Middle Eastern diplomacy. He hailed the moment as the “dawn of a new Middle East,” set against the backdrop of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza and the recent release of all 20 living Israeli hostages. He received standing ovations and drew both acclaim and heckling from members of the parliament as he implored a transition from conflict to reconstruction, urging immediate investment in infrastructure, stability, and cooperation.

The speech was rooted in Trump’s 20‑point peace initiative, a plan that calls for a comprehensive ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners and hostages, and the establishment of a transitional governing structure for Gaza. In his remarks, Trump introduced a proposed international “Board of Peace” that would help oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and governance, while militias would gradually be disarmed and replaced with technocratic leadership under broad regional oversight.  He also called publicly for Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose trials had been sidelined by the conflict.

Despite the optimistic tone, significant challenges lie ahead. Key issues remain unsettled — Hamas has not committed publicly to full disarmament, the governance structure in Gaza is still under negotiation, and the mechanics for ensuring compliance by all actors are untested. Regional actors continue to press for clarity, while many in Israel and Gaza watch closely, hopeful yet wary of renewed violence, logistical bottlenecks in aid, and fragile political agreements.