FROM THE HILL: President Trump said Friday he plans to visit Egypt and Israel during a one-day trip to the Middle East early next week to mark the implementation of a peace agreement that will see a pause in fighting in Gaza and the release of dozens of hostages.
Trump told reporters he will visit Cairo while in Egypt, and he plans to speak at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. He indicated many other world leaders would be in attendance. The president is expected to depart Sunday evening, spend Monday in the Middle East then fly back to Washington, D.C.
Trump indicated he wants to get back to the White House for a Tuesday ceremony to award Charlie Kirk, the late conservative activist, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
This week, the Trump administration and other intermediaries brokered a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, potentially ending a war that commenced over two years ago when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in the tragic loss of more than 1,000 lives.
The subsequent Israeli military campaign saw even more lives lost between Gaza and Israel.
On Friday, Israeli forces withdrew from certain areas of Gaza, initiating a 72-hour window for Hamas to release the remaining hostages who were captured on October 7, 2023.
“Hopefully you’re going to have great success — or I call it everlasting success,” Trump said in the Oval Office Friday evening as he talked about the trip.
Trump also appeared to be preparing the public to comprehend the condition of the hostages prior to their public appearance.
“They’re getting them now. They’re in some pretty rough places under earth. They’re in some pretty rough places where only a few people know where they are [in] some cases,” Trump said.
“So they’re getting them, and they’re also getting the bodies, approximately 28 bodies [of deceased hostages]. And some of those bodies are being unearthed right now as we speak,” Trump said. “It’s a tragedy.”
Families of hostages just called President Trump with tears of gratitude.
“Mr. President, you did it.”
Forty-eight hostages are coming home. Israel is safe. America is strong again.
A moment of hope. A victory for peace.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
God bless America. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/9sxEINsxEz— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) October 9, 2025
FROM THE HILL
