Trump spoke alongside families of hostages and survivors in Israel

US President Donald Trump spoke tonight (between Monday and Tuesday) at the celebrations that took place after his inauguration, with captive survivors and kidnapped families standing behind him on stage. While the family members stood by him with yellow ribbons on their clothes, the incoming president told the audience about the release of the three kidnapped women in the first beat of the stage The first in the deal that started on Sunday. “One of them tried to defend herself from a shot and she got a finger cut off, would you believe it?” he said At the end of his speech, the president shook the hands of the family members to loud applause from the audience.The abductee who was released to which the president referred, is Emily Demari, who was injured on October 7 and lost two of her fingers. A picture of her yesterday next to her mother during a video call with her brother shortly after her release, with her hand bandaged and two fingers missing – went viral.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy to the Middle East and talks on the ceasefire and hostage deal in Doha, was the one who called the families to the stage. At the beginning of his remarks, Witkoff introduced the families and emphasized which of them have American citizenship. “Some have lost their children and loved ones, and are here as part of the efforts to return the bodies of their loved ones in a dignified way for burial,” Witkoff said and asked the audience to “give them love” as they took the stage. The audience rose to its feet and cheered for the families while chanting “Bring Them Home.” The President pressed the their hands and was seen talking to some of them on stage before he spoke.

“Now we have to bring them home,” Trump said at the beginning of his speech. He thanked Witkoff and said that “people love him and he has tremendous persuasiveness.” He later spoke about the release of the three abductees, told about Emily’s injury, and said: “We have not stopped praying for you, and we are so happy that you have been reunited with your families and friends, may God bless you all – this should never have happened.”

Among the members of the families who were at the event: the father and wife of the abductee Sagi Dekal Chen, the parents of the abductee Omer Natura, the father of the abductee Idan Alexander, the brothers of the abducted brothers Galio and Ziv Berman and the parents of the abducted Itai Chen. Survivors of captivity Noa Argamani and Shoshan Haran were present at the event.

“Gaza must be rebuilt”

While in the Oval Office at the White House, the president was asked about the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and replied “I’m not sure.” Trump went on to say: “It’s not our war – it’s their war.”

Reporter: How confident are you that you can keep the ceasefire in Gaza

Trump: It’s not our war. It is their war. I am not confident. pic.twitter.com/CJJWT4KMgC

— Acyn (@Acyn) January 21, 2025

Trump on Gaza: It has to be rebuilt in a different way… Gaza is interesting. It’s a phenomenal location. On the sea. The best weather. Some beautiful things could be done with it. pic.twitter.com/1d9TqslV4I

— Acyn (@Acyn) January 21, 2025

In addition, Trump was also asked about the situation in the Gaza Strip and answered that Gaza “must be rebuilt in a different way”. He talked about the location of Gaza and said: “It is interesting, a phenomenal location – on the sea with great weather. You can do beautiful things there.”