During a speech at the Israeli Knesset, US President Donald Trump declared that “the (Israeli) hostages have returned to their families after two years in captivity,” calling it “the beginning of eternal harmony for all nations” and predicting that “the region will soon become wonderful.”

The session was marked by a protest from Joint List deputies Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif, who raised a banner reading “Recognize Palestine,” prompting their removal from the chamber.

US military strength and global conflicts

Trump then parroted the same narrative he had been exploiting recently, claiming he had ended eight wars with the ceasefire in Gaza, and took a jab at Hillary Clinton, who said, "Look at him, look at him, he's going to go to war with everybody."

Responding to Clinton, Trump stated, "When you settle eight wars in eight months, that means you don't like war.. My personality actually is all about stopping wars, and it seems to work."

He praised US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, claiming he would be remembered as “the best secretary of state in the history of the United States.” Trump emphasized American military might, claiming, “Washington won World War I and World War II and everything that happened before and after them,” and added, “Today we have the strongest army in the world.”

He stressed that the US “does not want to go to war, but if it does, it will win,” boasting that the United States “makes the best weapons in the world, and we have supplied Israel with them.”

Trump boasts Iran war crimes 

Trump revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had frequently contacted him to request various weapons, some of which Trump claimed he had never heard of but provided nonetheless.

He stated that “the Israeli army liquidated many Iranian scientists in an operation called ‘Midnight Hammer,’ which was truly a remarkable and flawless operation.” Trump also claimed that “the United States dropped 14 bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities.”

According to Trump, had a deal been concluded before those strikes, “some Arab and Islamic countries would not have felt secure.”

He reiterated the military operations against Iran, saying, “I destroyed Iran's nuclear program with B2 bombers, and it was great.”

“It would be wonderful to reach a peace agreement” with Iran, Trump spat, asking, “Wouldn't that make you happy? Wouldn't that be beautiful? I think they want that too.” He concluded, “We are ready when you are ready.”

Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Hamas

Touching on Lebanon, Trump claimed, “the dagger of Hezbollah, long aimed at Israel’s throat, has been totally shattered,” and announced support for the new Lebanese government’s efforts to permanently disarm Hezbollah. He claimed that “the entire region has adopted a plan to disarm Hamas,” asserting that "Israel's security will not be threatened again in any way.”

“It is time to enjoy the achievements,” Trump continued. “We have proven that peace is not just a dream, and today the Middle East is ready to embrace its potential. It is time to focus on building nations instead of trying to tear Israel apart.”

US-Israeli Alliance, regional ties

Trump stressed his commitment to strengthening US-Israeli relations, saying, “I will stand with Israel until the end, and it will be stronger than ever before.” He emphasized the growing normalization with Arab nations, stating, “We will build a future based on new friendships, and Tel Aviv will be connected to a number of Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and Oman.”

He added, “I thank the Arab countries that will rebuild Gaza,” and praised the enduring alliance, saying, “Israel is a strong country and will live forever, and that is why it will remain a key ally of the United States.”

Reaffirming his backing of the Abraham Accords, Trump said, “I hope that the countries we are communicating with will join the Abraham Accords.”

In a surprising remark directed at Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Trump said, “Why don't you pardon Netanyahu?” nudging at his ongoing corruption trial. 

Read more: Trump hails Gaza Deal as his 'biggest' achievement: Axios