TEL AVIV: For many Israelis yearning for a future free from war and for the release of hostages still held in Gaza, US President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House on Monday is a source of hope.
On the eve of his inauguration, three women hostages were released after 15 months in captivity by Hamas militants, after mediators Qatar, the United States and Egypt clinched a Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Trump, whose envoy took part in negotiations even ahead of his return to the presidency, claimed credit for the deal following months of fruitless negotiations.
But many Israelis have been looking forward to his return for a while, even ahead of the ceasefire.
In Tel Aviv’s Sarona commercial district, a massive banner bearing the president-elect’s image was erected weeks ago.
It shows Trump, his fist raised in defiance. The caption, a reference to the hostages, reads: “ALL OF THEM UNTIL THE 20.1 — OR THE FIRE OF HELL WILL OPEN.”
In early December, Trump warned of “hell” if, by his inauguration, Hamas did not release the dozens of Israeli hostages held since its October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the Gaza war.
With the first three releases on Sunday, 91 hostages remain in Gaza.

The Tel Aviv banner was the initiative of Tikva Forum, a campaign group of hostage relatives opposed to a deal with Hamas.
“Hamas has to realize that the rules are about to change in the Middle East and that it’s time to bring back the hostages immediately,” the group said in a statement.
Its members have been anticipating the US billionaire’s return to the helm in Washington, Israel’s closest ally and top military backer.
But it is not just Israelis opposed to a deal that are hopeful.
In the lead-up to the inauguration, his image has become a fixture at weekly rallies calling for the release of hostages.
Red caps handed out at protests alluded to the ones proudly worn by Trump supporters.
But instead of “Make America Great Again,” the ones worn in Israel read: “End this fuc*!ng war.”
Demonstrators carried posters that read: “Trump, thank you for handling this,” “President Trump, bring them home,” and “Make Israel normal again.”
“I know that when he’s going to be back, things will change, but I’m not sure to which extent,” said Gaya Omri, a protester at a recent rally in Jerusalem.
“My only hope is that he can finish this war. This is what we want,” she said.

During his first term, Trump broke with much of the international community and moved the US embassy to Jerusalem.
Israelis claim the city as their undivided capital, while Palestinians claim its eastern sector as theirs.
Trump oversaw landmark normalization deals between Israel and three Arab countries — Bahrain, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.
He also recognized Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, again going against much of the world and numerous UN resolutions.
As a show of gratitude, an Israeli settlement in the territory, which Israel has occupied since 1967, was renamed Trump Heights.
“President Trump put us on the map,” said Yaakov Selavan of the Golan Heights Regional Council.
“He gave us the best PR campaign we’ve ever had, and we hope the new US administration will continue this,” he said.
This time round, some of Trump’s cabinet picks again suggest a favorable line for Israel.
The incoming president’s pick for US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, is a staunch supporter of Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank.
 

NEW YORK CITY: Palestine’s foreign minister on Monday said that the State of Palestine has “legal and political” jurisdiction over the Gaza Strip and all occupied territories, including East Jerusalem, and warned that any attempt to annex the West Bank would be a violation of international law.

Varsen Aghabekian told a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York that the “imperative” to uphold the legitimate rights of Palestinians requires “unity of our land and our people under the umbrella of the Palestine Liberation Organization, which is the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.”

She added: “It also requires everyone to commit to the PLO political program and international commitments, and to work under one regime, one law and a single armed forces.”

Her statement came as debates continue about the future role of Hamas in Gaza. Israel and several other countries believe the group, which was responsible for the Oct. 7 attacks against Israel in which about 1,200 people were killed and hundreds taken hostage, should be disqualified from playing any part in the future of the battered territory.

Aghabekian called for the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that came into effect on Sunday to be fully implemented, in order to allow the Palestinian Authority “to shoulder its full responsibilities in Gaza,” and for the reunification of the Strip with the West Bank “under the management of the Palestinian Authority.”

She also called for a return to a political process that would end Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, and lead to the implementation of a two-state solution.

The high-level meeting of the Security Council was convened as the signature event of Algeria’s presidency of the council for the month of January. More 70 countries attended, including Saudi Arabia.

Aghabekian said the Palestinian government stands ready to govern Gaza and the West Bank in cooperation with “friendly and sisterly” countries and international organizations.

“The Palestinian government is ready to provide basic services, including health, education, water and electricity; to guarantee the return of the displaced to their homes; and to prepare for the reconstruction phase,” the minister told the council.

“We are also committed to managing the (border) crossing points, in collaboration with the EU and Egypt.”

Aghabekian also underscored the important role of the UN Relief and Works Agency, the largest aid agency for Palestinians, describing it as “indispensable and irreplaceable.” A ban by the Knesset that would prevent the agency from working in Israel and the territories it occupies is due to take effect at the end of this month.

“The Israeli occupation powers do not have the right to prevent UNRWA from working,” Aghabekian said.

Reut Shapir Ben Naftaly, the political coordinator at Israel’s UN mission in New York, told the Security Council: “The families of the hostages and the people of Israel know that this moment is only the beginning. This war will not end until every hostage is returned and Hamas’ ability to terrorize is dismantled.”

She said Hamas has turned Gaza into “a fortress of terror, sacrificing their own civilians to shield their operations. It has weaponized schools, hospitals and mosques, transforming them into instruments of war.

“This barbarity demands a resolute and united response from the international community.”

Ben Naftaly added: “Failing to act decisively against Hamas sends a dangerous message to other terrorist organizations that such tactics are permissible.

“It is a test of our collective will to uphold international law and human dignity.”

The diplomat called on the Security Council to take “the most basic, moral step” and “unequivocally condemn Hamas and designate it as the terrorist organization it is.”