'We love Trump' President hailed for efforts to help release hostages

Donald Trump was the guest of honour on Saturday night at what could be the final rally at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv.

- William Christou

Demonstrators took it in turns to shake the hand of the US president, or rather, a woman wearing a papier-mache Trump mask, while another woman stood nearby silently holding a sign that read: “We love Trump.”

For nearly two years, Israelis have gathered in front of the ministry of defence and demanded the government bring home their loved ones. Now, as Israel and Hamas seem to be on the cusp of a deal that could end the war and bring the hostages home, many Israelis are thanking Trump, and not their own government, for helping to bring about the potential peace agreement.

“This is the first day that I can feel happy in two years. And it’s because of Trump,” said Shabbat Moshe, a 71-year-old who works in the film industry and has four sons fighting in Gaza. Moshe joined thousands of others waving Israeli flags and wearing yellow ribbons that symbolise the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.