Trump says Gaza hostages should be released on Monday or Tuesday
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Hamas is expected to release the 20 living hostages together, 72 hours after the ceasefire begins.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said on Oct 9 that the Gaza hostages should be released on Monday or Tuesday and that he hopes to attend a signing ceremony in Egypt and address the Israeli Knesset.
Mr Trump opened a White House Cabinet meeting by discussing a deal reached on Oct 8
He said he believed it will lead to "lasting peace."
Mr Trump said under the plan Gaza is going to be "slowly redone," a reference to plans to rebuild the Palestinian enclave.
He did not provide details other than to say “we’re going to create something where people can live. You can’t live right now in Gaza.”
Hamas is expected to release the 20 living hostages together, 72 hours after the ceasefire begins.
"We are getting the hostages back on Tuesday, Monday or Tuesday, and that'll be a day of joy," Mr Trump said.
He said he was going to try to make the trip there to attend a signing ceremony in Egypt.
The White House has been scrambling to work out the details of the hastily arranged trip.
The Israeli Knesset has asked Mr Trump to speak, and the president said he was planning to do so if requested.
While questions remain about what happens in the region in the long term, Mr Trump said he hoped it would lead to "an everlasting peace." REUTERS
