**Trump Calls for Peace in Israel Ahead of Egypt Summit** JERUSALEM — President Donald Trump addressed Israeli lawmakers on Monday, urging them to pursue peace in the Middle East after two years of conflict with Hamas and tensions with Hezbollah and Iran. He emphasized that Israel has achieved all it can through military means and must now focus on diplomatic solutions. "Generations from now, this will be remembered as the moment that everything began to change," Trump stated during his speech to the Knesset, where he was received with enthusiasm. Despite the fragile U.S.-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas, Trump expressed optimism about the potential for regional harmony. He also took the opportunity to express gratitude to his supporters and criticized previous Democratic administrations. In a surprising move, Trump called on the Israeli president to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he referred to as "one of the greatest" wartime leaders. Netanyahu is currently facing corruption charges, but many of his court hearings have been postponed due to the ongoing conflict. Trump urged Israel to move beyond the war, stating, "You’ve won. I mean, you’ve won. Now it is time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East." He also pledged U.S. support for rebuilding Gaza, which has suffered extensive damage during the conflict, and encouraged Palestinians to abandon violence. "After tremendous pain and death and hardship, now is the time to concentrate on building their people up instead of trying to tear Israel down," he said. Trump extended a gesture of goodwill towards Iran, stating, "the hand of friendship and cooperation is always open," and reiterated the desire for peace without threats. As part of his Middle East tour, Trump is scheduled to attend a summit in Egypt with leaders from over 20 nations. However, he was delayed in his travel due to lengthy speeches at the Knesset. "They might not be there by the time I get there, but we’ll give it a shot," he joked, referring to the summit attendees. Although there was speculation that Netanyahu would accompany him, his office later confirmed he would not attend due to the proximity of the Jewish holiday Simchat Torah. On the same day, twenty hostages were released as part of an agreement aimed at concluding the conflict that began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas-led attack. Trump may meet some of the released hostages at Sheba Medical Center and interacted with their families during his visit. Israeli lawmakers showed their support for Trump, chanting his name and giving him multiple standing ovations. Some attendees wore red hats that read "Trump, The Peace President," a twist on his famous campaign slogan. Netanyahu praised Trump as "the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House" and expressed his commitment to working together for peace. "Mr. President, you are committed to this peace. I am committed to this peace," he said. The situation remains delicate, with Israel and Hamas still in the early stages of implementing the first phase of Trump's peace plan. This phase includes the release of remaining hostages, the release of Palestinian prisoners, increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from key cities. Trump believes there is a narrow window to reshape relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors. "The war is over, OK?" he told reporters on Air Force One. "I think people are tired of it," he added, expressing confidence that the ceasefire would hold. The White House noted that momentum is building for peace, as Arab and Muslim nations are increasingly focused on resolving the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While Trump previously envisioned Gaza as "the Riviera of the Middle East," he acknowledged the current devastation, stating, "It’s blasted. This is like a demolition site." He expressed hope to visit Gaza in the future. Following his visit to Israel, Trump will lead a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, alongside President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. The summit will address peace in Gaza and broader regional issues. The truce remains fragile, with unresolved questions about Gaza's governance, reconstruction, and Israel's demand for Hamas to disarm. Negotiations could falter, and Israel has indicated it may resume military operations if its conditions are not met. Much of Gaza is in ruins, and its approximately 2 million residents face dire conditions. Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel has agreed to reopen five border crossings to facilitate the flow of food and supplies into Gaza, where famine conditions persist. Approximately 200 U.S. troops will assist in monitoring the ceasefire as part of a coalition that includes partner nations and NGOs.