President Donald Trump spoke with reporters on Sunday just before boarding Air Force One for his trip to Israel.
“This is a very special event. There are 500,000 people, yesterday and today in Israel, and also the Muslim and Arab countries are all cheering. Everybody’s cheering at one time, that’s never happened before,” he said.
“Usually, if you have one cheering, the other isn’t. The other is the opposite. This is the first time everybody is amazed and they’re thrilled and it’s an honor to be involved and we’re going to have an amazing time and it’s going to be something that’s never happened before. So, I’ll see you on the plane and we’re going to have a good time,” added Trump.
Once aboard the aircraft, Trump again addressed the press, declaring that “the war is over” — a statement that came after a reporter noted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had not yet said so himself.
He hinted that the 20 remaining living hostages might be freed “a little bit early,” though he stopped short of making a firm commitment.
“Getting them was amazing, actually, because we were involved, and they were in places that you don’t want to know about. Deep, deep, deep,” he added.
Trump went on to speak warmly of Netanyahu, calling him a capable leader in a time of war. “He did a very good job. I had some disputes with him and they were quickly settled, I can tell you that.”
“But as far as I’m concerned, I think he’s done a great job. I think he was the right person at this time,” the President continued.
Trump is expected to land in Israel on Monday morning at 9:20 a.m., where he will meet with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. He will then meet families of hostages at the Knesset before delivering an address there at 11:00 a.m.
Later in the day, at 1:00 p.m., Trump will depart Israel and fly to Egypt, where he will chair a high-level international summit focused on finalizing the end of the Gaza war and establishing long-term peace in the region.
{Matzav.com Israel}
