‘You will come home’: Trump envoy reassures hostages as Israel prepares for emotional reunion | World News

Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has assured Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza that they will soon be reunited with their families, saying that “miracles can happen”, as the country prepares for a momentous reunion.

In an emotional speech at a rally in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square on Saturday, Witkoff directly addressed the hostages, declaring, “You are going home,” prompting loud cheers from tens of thousands of people gathered in the square.

“Your stories have lived in every heart, here tonight and in mine since I started this work,” he said.

“And now, as you return to the arms of your family and nation, know that all of Israel and the whole world is ready to welcome you home with open arms and endless love.”

Speaking alongside Trump’s daughter and son-in-law Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Witkoff said he was “dreaming about tonight” and “it’s been a long journey.”

Some in the crowd shouted, “Thank you Trump, thank you Witkoff,” and booed when the envoy mentioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by name.

Addressing the families of the hostages, Witkoff said, “Each of you has carried the moral burden of this nation.”

“Your courage has moved the world and touched me in a way I have never been touched before in my life,” he added.

Kushner said they would celebrate on Monday, when the remaining hostages would be freed under the terms of the ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange deal.

Twenty of the hostages are believed to be alive, 26 people are declared dead, while the fate of two others is unknown.

The president’s son-in-law, who played a key role in the negotiations, also acknowledged the “suffering” in Gaza.

Meanwhile, the president’s daughter, Ivanka, addressed the crowd, saying, “The president wanted me to share, as he did with many of you personally, that he sees you, he hears you, he always has your back.”

Once all the hostages are freed, Israel will free 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained after the October 7 attacks.

Israelis attending the rally hugged, took selfies, and many waved US flags.

“It’s a very happy moment, but we know there will be difficult moments to come,” said Yaniv Peretz, who was in the audience.

Gaza ‘totally destroyed’

The speech in Tel Aviv came as a ceasefire in Gaza continued for a second day, with tens of thousands of Palestinians returning to neighborhoods devastated by the conflict.

“Gaza is completely destroyed. I don’t know where we should stay or where to go,” said Mahmoud al Shandoghli in Gaza City as bulldozers pushed through the rubble.

Under the agreement, hundreds of trucks per day are expected to enter Gaza.

The World Food Program (WFP) announced its readiness to reopen 145 food distribution centers across Gaza, after Israel allowed increased aid deliveries.

Although details regarding the timing and method of food entry into Gaza remain uncertain, reopening the sites would significantly expand access to food.

Some 170,000 tons of food aid is currently stored in neighboring countries, awaiting Israeli approval to enter.

About 200 US troops have arrived in Israel to monitor the ceasefire with Hamas.

They will set up a center to coordinate the delivery of humanitarian aid and provide logistical and security support.

“This enormous effort would have been accomplished without any US troops in Gaza,” said Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the US military’s Central Command.

Summit in Egypt

World leaders and diplomats are heading to the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh to attend an international summit on Monday aimed at securing permanent peace terms.

Before presiding over the summit, Trump is expected to visit Israel on Monday to address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.

Representatives from regional countries, along with European leaders including Sir Keir Starmer, are expected to attend the summit and sign the agreement as guarantors.

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Meanwhile, the deputy head of the Palestinian Authority told Saudi news channel Al Arabiya that he would meet former British prime minister Tony Blair in Jordan on Sunday.

Hussein al Sheikh said the pair would discuss the “days after” the war in Gaza.

As part of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, the former prime minister will lead an international interim government that will rule Gaza in a transitional period.

However, the prospect of Sir Tony becoming part of an international monitoring body in Gaza is unpalatable to many Palestinians.

The Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative told Sky News, “we don’t need it for many reasons”.

“His reputation in Iraq was very bad, in my opinion, his reputation was not very clear, and finally when he was here in Palestine for seven years he did nothing,” said Mustafa Barghouti.

“The whole history is not good.”