Trump Skips Sheba Medical Centre Visit After Knesset Speech, Heads to Egypt for Gaza Peace Summit
Jerusalem, Oct 13 (TheTrendingPeople.com) — US President Donald Trump will not visit the Sheba Medical Centre in Ramat Gan to meet with freed Israeli hostages after his address to the Knesset, due to time constraints, The Times of Israel reported on Monday.
Trump, who delivered a special address at the Knesset following the historic release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza, is reportedly running behind schedule and is expected to fly to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, to attend the Gaza Peace Summit later today.
Trump’s Address at the Knesset Draws Standing Ovation
The special session of the Knesset was convened in honour of the US President, marking a pivotal moment in Middle East diplomacy. Trump received a standing ovation after his speech, which came hours after the announcement of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
The visit coincided with a day of immense relief for Israel, as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that all 20 remaining living hostages abducted during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks were released and handed over to Israeli authorities.
Hostages Return Home After Over Two Years in Captivity
In an official statement, the IDF said the freed hostages — including Nimrod Cohen, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, and Bar Kupershtein — were airlifted to hospitals by Israeli Air Force helicopters, accompanied by their families.
“The returned hostages have undergone an initial medical assessment and are now on their way to hospitals, where they will reunite with their families and receive continued medical care,” the IDF said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Their return marks the end of a two-year ordeal that began with Hamas’ surprise cross-border assault in 2023, which led to one of the deadliest conflicts in recent Israeli history.
Trump’s Focus Shifts to Gaza Peace Summit
Following his Knesset speech, Trump’s immediate focus now shifts to Egypt, where he is set to co-chair the Gaza Peace Summit alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
The high-level summit in Sharm El-Sheikh aims to consolidate peace efforts and establish a framework for a lasting truce between Israel and Hamas. According to a statement from the Egyptian Presidency, the meeting will bring together leaders from over 20 countries, seeking to stabilize the Gaza Strip and promote long-term regional security.
“The Peace Summit is being held to finalise an agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza and ushering in a new phase of peace and stability in the Middle East,” the statement said.
Trump’s peace initiative — which has been under discussion since early 2024 — is expected to form the basis for post-conflict reconstruction in Gaza and renewed diplomatic engagement across the region.
Time Constraints Force Schedule Change
Trump was initially scheduled to visit Sheba Medical Centre in Ramat Gan to meet the freed hostages and their families. However, reports indicate that the President’s speech ran considerably past its planned time, forcing the White House to modify his itinerary.
“Trump, who recently finished speaking at the Knesset, is already running considerably past his original planned departure time of 1:00 p.m. and is expected soon at the summit of world leaders in Egypt,” The Times of Israel reported, citing diplomatic sources.
The White House has not yet issued an official statement regarding the cancelled hospital visit.
Global Eyes on Egypt Summit
The Gaza Peace Summit represents a critical moment for Trump’s administration and for international diplomacy. With key leaders from the Middle East, Europe, and the United States expected to attend, the summit could pave the way for a formal framework to rebuild Gaza and prevent future escalations.
Observers say the event could define Trump’s legacy in Middle East peace efforts, following his active role in brokering earlier ceasefire agreements and hostage negotiations.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
As tensions begin to ease after years of bloodshed, today’s developments mark a turning point for Israel, Palestine, and the broader Middle East. The release of all hostages and the high-stakes peace talks in Egypt signal a fragile but hopeful chapter in a region long marred by conflict. Whether the upcoming summit can translate symbolic gestures into lasting peace remains to be seen.