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US President Donald Trump is expected to arrive in Israel on Monday for a brief but highly symbolic visit, coinciding with the anticipated release of the remaining live hostages held in Gaza. His trip comes as part of a concerted diplomatic effort to solidify the newly announced ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
According to Israeli media outlet N12, security and logistical preparations for the visit will begin on Friday. Trump will land at Ben-Gurion Airport, where he is scheduled to deliver remarks alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.
The US president is also expected to meet with families of the hostages during his stay before returning to Washington later the same day, with his departure slated for around 2 p.m.
The visit follows Trump’s announcement early Thursday that Israel and Hamas had reached an initial agreement on a multi-phase ceasefire. The deal, brokered through intensive negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, was facilitated by Qatari and Egyptian mediators, as well as US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Under the agreement’s first phase, twenty Israeli hostages are expected to be released within 72 hours of the ceasefire taking effect. Reports from Arab media have also indicated that Hamas has begun collecting the remains of deceased hostages to return to Israel as part of the arrangement.
The deal was formally signed in Egypt at noon on Thursday and awaits ratification by the Israeli government, which is expected to hold a decisive vote at 6 p.m. Once approved, the ceasefire terms will be implemented immediately.
In preparation for the transition, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reportedly begun adjusting their deployment lines in the Gaza Strip. According to The Jerusalem Post, a detailed agreement outlining the IDF’s withdrawal zones has already been finalized, paving the way for the redeployment of troops as the ceasefire comes into effect.
Trump has personally assured Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators that “Israel won’t return to fighting” once the agreement is in motion. His commitment, according to diplomatic sources, was crucial in persuading Hamas to finalize the deal.
Outside the US consulate in Jerusalem, families of hostages and women’s protest groups gathered to express cautious optimism and call for the full implementation of the ceasefire plan. Demonstrators held Israeli flags and cardboard cutouts of missing hostages, urging both governments to prioritize the safe return of those still in captivity.
Trump’s upcoming address to the Knesset is expected to emphasize Washington’s continued role in regional stability and humanitarian relief. The visit underscores the United States’ renewed diplomatic engagement in the Middle East — a move aimed at ending months of conflict and fostering a fragile, yet hopeful, peace.