Trump to Receive Israel's Highest Civilian Award for Gaza Peace Efforts, Following Obama's Footsteps

US President Donald Trump is set to receive a hero's welcome in Israel for his pivotal role in facilitating the Gaza ceasefire agreement. During his visit, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will present Trump with the country's highest civilian honor, recognizing his contributions to securing the release of hostages from Gaza and helping end the two-year conflict.

Notably, this prestigious award was previously bestowed upon former US President Barack Obama in 2013. There had been considerable speculation that Trump might receive the Nobel Peace Prize, an accolade that Obama had received during his presidency.

The Israeli President's office released a statement saying, "Through his tireless efforts, President Trump has not only helped bring our loved ones home but has also laid the foundations for a new era in the Middle East built on security, cooperation, and genuine hope for a peaceful future."

According to the presidency, Israel's presidential award is given to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to either the state of Israel or humanity as a whole. President Herzog added, "It will be a great honour for me to present him with the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour."

Israel and Hamas commenced a hostage-prisoner exchange on Monday as part of the initial phase of a peace plan proposed by Trump. The US-backed 20-point proposal aims to terminate more than two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began following Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. That attack resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties and 251 hostages taken.

In response, Israeli military operations have devastated Gaza, with local health officials reporting more than 67,000 Palestinian deaths.

During his brief Israel visit, President Trump is scheduled to meet with families of hostages and address the Israeli parliament (Knesset).

"The war is over," Trump declared to reporters aboard Air Force One while departing from Washington to Israel. When questioned about regional prospects, he expressed optimism, stating, "I think it's going to normalise."

The United Nations reported that humanitarian assistance was increasing, with cooking gas entering Gaza for the first time since March, alongside expanded deliveries of food and medical supplies.