US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Saturday lauded US President Donald Trump’s efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire in a speech at a rally in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, with hundreds of thousands in attendance.
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“We all owe a debt of deep gratitude to President Trump,” Witkoff said, before being interrupted by prolonged applause and shouts of “Thank you, Trump”.
A spokesman for the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said there were around 400,000 people in the square, with the rally coming one day after a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas took effect.
Witkoff, who was accompanied by Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, also paid tribute to the strength and patience of the relatives and the Israeli people.
“Thank you for showing that the future of this region can be built not on the ashes of old hatred, but on the promise of shared hope,” said Witkoff, who earlier visited the Gaza Strip accompanied by the Israeli military. “I dreamed of this night. It’s been a long journey,” he added.
The cheers turned to boos and whistles when Witkoff emphasised the role of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.