US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump spoke at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv Saturday night to a huge crowd, estimated to be about 100,000 people, amid the recently-announced peace agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump both served as advisors during the first Trump administration, and Kushner played a major role in helping draft the Abraham Accords in August 2020, a successful agreement that halted Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank. Jared and Ivanka had completely stepped away from politics and took no official roles in the second Trump administration. However, Trump did tap Kushner to work alongside Witkoff to help negotiate the peace agreement between Hamas and Israel.
According to the conditions of the peace agreement, Hamas is supposed to release all 48 remaining hostages, both living and deceased, by 12:30 p.m. on Monday. The Times of Israel reported that the releases could begin as early as Sunday night. It is believed there are 20 hostages still living, and the other 28 are deceased.
In exchange, Israel will release 250 Palestinians serving long terms in Israeli prisons, and 1,700 others detained in Gaza during the war.
However, Witkoff warned that all of the deceased hostages might not be returned. According to the Times of Israel, Witkoff told the families of hostages when he met with them earlier Saturday that Hamas has said it could be very hard to locate some of the bodies of dead hostages as they are believed to be “under the rubble,” and Israel is aware of the situation.
28 hostages are believed to be deceased, but one official told CNN that seven to nine bodies might not be retrieved, while another official said the number is between 10 and 15.
Speaking before the large crowd Sunday night, Witkoff became emotional multiple times.
“Tonight we celebrate something extraordinary, a moment that many thought was impossible. Yet here we stand, living proof that when courage meets conviction, miracles can happen. A peace born not out of politics, but out of courage, the courage of those who refuse to give up hope,” he said.
He praise the people of Israel for their strength and resilience, and said, “Through heartbreak and fear, you never let go of the faith. Your courage and endurance inspired the world, and it was your belief, joined with the bold leadership of my friend and President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, that made this piece possible.”
Referring to Trump, Witkoff said, “In the worst of times, he refused to accept the idea that peace in the Middle East was out of reach. He brought together nations once divided by generations of conflict and showed us that shared peace is stronger than shared pain… He showed the world that strength and peace go hand in hand. They are not opposites, they are partners.”
The huge crowd can be heart chanting, “Thank you, Trump! Thank you, Trump!”
Witkoff also praised Kushner standing behind him, saying, “This moment was made possible through the tireless dedication of leaders who would not rest until the world saw what could be achieved. One of them is standing right here with me, Jared Kushner.”
However, when Witkoff began to give recognition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the massive crowd started booing. He politely rebuked them, saying, “I was in the trenches with the prime minister. Believe me, he was a very important part here. The prime minister and his staff, Ron Dermer, have both sacrificed so much for this country and devoted their lives to the service of Israel. Their dedication to the history and destiny of this nation stands out tonight. They’ve given everything, their time, their energy, and their hearts, to building a safer, stronger future for the Jewish people. Their commitment to this country has never wavered.”
Below is Witkoff’s full speech.
Next, Jared Kusher, who is Jewish, spoke to the crowd, and recalled how shattered he was when he heard the news of the massacre on Oct. 7, 2023.
“We’re not going to celebrate tonight. We’re going to celebrate on Monday,” Kushner said. “I couldn’t be more proud to see the way that the State of Israel and its people have carried themselves through this traumatic, unthinkable, horrific experience. Instead of replicating the barbarism of the enemy, you chose to be exceptional. You chose to stand for the values that you stand for.”
“As we close this chapter, let’s learn from the challenges and the pain of the last few years, and let’s do our best to make Israel, to make the region, to make the world as peaceful, to build bridges of understanding, to eliminate hatred in ourselves, hatred for others, and to really lead with love and understanding,” Kushner said.
Ivanka Trump then stepped forward to deliver brief remarks, and spoke of her father, saying, “The president wanted me to share, as he has with so many of you personally, that he sees you, he hears you, he stands with you always, always.”
President Donald Trump is expected to be in Israel on Monday when the hostages are released.
Below is a video with Jared and Ivanka’s speeches.
CNN acknowledged there was “endless applause for President Trump.” Wolf Blitzer added, “I even saw people wearing Make America Great Again hats in that crowd over at Hostage Square.”
“Endless applause for President Trump.”
“I even saw people wearing Make America Great Again hats in that crowd over at Hostage Square.”
THE PRESIDENT OF PEACE! pic.twitter.com/tDuXPfdSWm
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 11, 2025
On Thursday, one day after President Donald Trump announced a peace agreement had been reached, Ivanka Trump posted the following statement on X:
I want to thank my father @realDonaldTrump for his unbending leadership in bringing real hope for lasting peace to a region that has known so much pain and heartbreak.
Deeply proud of my husband @jaredkushner and Steve Witkoff, whose vision and perseverance remind us that even in the darkest moments, progress is possible. Their tireless work has given new hope to families who dream of safety, dignity, and opportunity.
I won’t fully celebrate until every hostage has been returned and peace prevails. But I hold on to hope that one day we will dance again, and maybe even dance together. Praying for healing, unity, and lasting peace.
I want to thank my father @realDonaldTrump for his unbending leadership in bringing real hope for lasting peace to a region that has known so much pain and heartbreak.
Deeply proud of my husband @jaredkushner and Steve Witkoff, whose vision and perseverance remind us that even…
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) October 9, 2025
More than 100,000 Israelis packed Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square in what they hope will be the last Saturday night vigil before all the hostages come home.
Jared and Ivanka Kushner and Steve Witkoff addressed the emotional crowd.Witkoff: “To the hostages themselves, our brothers… pic.twitter.com/bzLoJYlVwZ
— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) October 11, 2025
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