Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told lawmakers in the Knesset that he's "committed to this peace" as President Donald Trump visited Oct. 13 to tout a U.S.-brokered peace deal that included the release of living hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
He added: "Today, the Jewish calendar marks the end of two years of war."
Twenty hostages were released Monday as part of an agreement intended to end the war that began on Oct. 7, 2023, with an attack by Hamas-led militants. The ceasefire started on Friday and included the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for hostages. The later stages of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire are still being worked out.
LIVE UPDATES: Hamas frees living hostages, Israel releases prisoners as Trump visits Middle East
Trump's speech to Israel's parliament was preceded by lengthy speeches from Netanyahu, the Knesset speaker and the opposition leader. Trump talked with some of their families at the Knesset.
"Your name will be remembered to generations," a woman told him.
Israeli lawmakers chanted Trump's name and gave him standing ovation after standing ovation. Some people in the audience wore red hats that resembled his "Make America Great Again" caps, although these versions said "Trump, The Peace President."
Netanyahu hailed Trump as "the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House," and he promised to work with him going forward.
"Mr. President, you are committed to this peace. I am committed to this peace," he said. "And together, Mr. President, we will achieve this peace."
READ MORE: Living hostages and Palestinian prisoners released as part of Gaza ceasefire
Trump, in an unexpected detour during his speech, called on the Israeli president to pardon Netanyahu, whom he described as "one of the greatest" wartime leaders. Netanyahu faces corruption charges, although several hearings have been postponed during the conflict with Hamas.
"That was not in the speech as you probably know," Trump joked of his prepared remarks. He added to Netanyahu, "You are a very popular man. You know why? Because you know how to win."
President Donald Trump addresses the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Oct. 13 in Jerusalem. Trump is visiting the country hours after Hamas released the remaining Israeli hostages captured on Oct. 7, 2023, part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza. Photo by Saul Loeb – Pool/Getty Images
The Republican president also used the opportunity to settle political scores and thank his supporters, criticizing Democratic predecessors and praising a top donor, Miriam Adelson, in the audience.
WATCH: Trump celebrates hostage release, calls for Netanyahu pardon in speech to Israeli parliament
Netanyahu became the only sitting prime minister in Israeli history to be indicted when he was charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases after yearslong investigations accusing him of exchanging favors with wealthy political supporters.
But Trump declared, "Whether we like it or not, this has been one of the greatest wartime presidents … and cigars and champagne, who the hell cares about that."
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talk Oct. 13 at the Knesset on the day of Trump's address as U.S.-brokered prisoner-hostage swap and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was underway. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool
Netanyahu's office said Monday that he will not travel to Egypt for a summit on the Israel-Hamas war due to a Jewish holiday.
The statement came after Egypt's presidency said Netanyahu would attend the summit.
The Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah ends the weeklong Sukkot holiday. It was on this holiday, two years ago, that Hamas launched the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that began the Israel-Hamas war. Jewish holidays run on a lunar calendar.