Tel Aviv: US President Donald Trump arrived in Israel on Monday amid the release of hostages as part of the Gaza peace plan. Israel’s top brass welcomed the US president. As Trump entered the Israeli airspace, the Air Control thanked him, saying that his visit carries a deep meaning for the people.
Those who welcomed the US President at the airport included Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu, Jared Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump, Ambassador Mike Huckabee and US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff.
The Ben Gurion Airport Control Tower welcomed Air Force One with a message thanking the US president for his friendship and the unbreakable bond between the two nations, Rapid Response reported.
“Welcome to the state of Israel, Mr President. Your visit carries deep meaning for people in this time. Thank you for your friendship and the unbreakable bond between our nations. God bless America and God bless Israel.”
Ahead of Trump’s arrival, a drone shot showed the depiction of Trump’s silhouette on the Tel Aviv beachfront with the words “thank you”.
Meanwhile, another group of 13 Israeli hostages were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza, shortly after Hamas released the first seven hostages earlier on Monday, according to Israeli media i24. The bodies of 28 other hostages remain in the terror group’s hands, with plans to transfer most of them to Israel later in the day.
Earlier, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that seven hostages had already been transferred to the Red Cross and were on their way to Israeli forces waiting inside Gaza.
The final twenty freed hostages reportedly include Elkana Bohbot, Matan Angrest, Avinatan Or, Yosef-Haim Ohana, Alon Ohel, Evyatar David, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Rom Braslavski, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Eitan Mor, Segev Kalfon, Nimrod Cohen, Maxim Herkin, Eitan Horn, Matan Zangauker, Bar Kupershtein, David Cunio, Ariel Cunio, and Omri Miran.
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