JERUSALEM – US President Donald Trump said on Oct 13 that a “long nightmare” was finally over for Israelis and Palestinians alike after the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal was agreed between Israel and Hamas.

“The forces of chaos that have plagued the region are totally defeated,” he said in a speech before Israel’s parliament, the Knesset.

Mr Trump added: “After so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today, the skies are calm the guns are silent the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a holy land that is finally at peace.

“This is not only the end of a war, this is the end of a age of terror and death and the beginning of the age of faith and hope and of God,” he added.

A few minutes into his speech, Mr Trump was interrupted and heckled by MP Ayman Odeh, reported Al Jazeera.

Mr Odeh had posted earlier on his X account: “The amount of hypocrisy in the plenum is unbearable. To crown Netanyahu through flattery the likes of which has never been seen, through an orchestrated group, does not absolve him and his government of the crimes against humanity committed in Gaza, nor of the responsibility for the blood of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian victims and thousands of Israeli victims.

“But only because of the ceasefire and the overall deal am I here. Only ending the occupation, and only recognising the State of Palestine alongside Israel, will bring justice, peace, and security to all.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier said in his speech prior to Mr Trump’s that he was committed to peace.

Addressing Israel’s Parliament alongside the US leader, Mr Netanyahu also praised Mr Trump for helping broker

that saw the return of all living Israeli hostages, and described him as the “greatest friend” Israel has ever had in the White House.

“Donald Trump is the greatest friend that the state of Israel has ever had in the White House. No American president has ever done more for Israel,” he said.

Mr Netanyahu also praised Israel’s soldiers, saying the country had “achieved amazing victories over Hamas”.

Mr Trump had earlier received a standing ovation from Israeli lawmakers ahead of his address to Parliament.

The applause lasted several minutes as lawmakers clapped and cheered Mr Trump, who was accompanied by his special envoy, Mr Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and daughter Ivanka. AFP, REUTERS