 "US President Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport on the outskirts of Lod near Tel Aviv on October 13, 2025, as he travels to Israel and Egypt. AFP")
US President Donald Trump landed in Israel on Monday to start his trip to West Asia as Israel and Hamas commence the hostage-prisoners exchange process. Before landing at Ben Gurion International Airport, Trump’s Air Force One did a flyover of Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, where tens of thousands had gathered, ahead of landing in Israel.
According to the Associated Press, the aircraft landed at the airport at 9:42 am (local time). Trump’s arrival came hours after Hamas handed over the first seven hostages to the International Red Cross , as part of the ceasefire deal brokered by Trump. The next set of hostages is expected to be released shortly.
The American leader was greeted by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the country’s President Isaac Herzog. Interestingly, the last time the US presidential plane Air Force One was in Israel was shortly after the October 7, 2023, attacks, when then-president Joe Biden arrived on a solidarity visit.
Trump heads to the Knesset
Soon after landing at the Ben Gurion International Airport, Trump is on his way to the Knesset in Jerusalem, riding in his armoured presidential vehicle, known as The Beast. He is in the vehicle with Netanyahu and his wife, Sara.
According to Netanyahu’s office, Trump spontaneously invited the Netanyahus on board “The Beast” in a departure from protocol.
Before getting in the car, Trump greeted his daughter Ivanka, and then spoke with her husband Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, all of whom met him upon his arrival. The American leader will be addressing the Israeli parliament shortly.