Tel Aviv, 12 October 2025 (dpa/MIA) - US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Saturday lauded US President Donald Trump's efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire in a speech at a rally on Tel Aviv's Hostage Square, with hundreds of thousands in attendance.

"We all owe a debt of deep gratitude to President Trump," Witkoff said, before being interrupted by prolonged applause and shouts of "Thank you Trump."

A spokesman for the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said there were around 400,000 people in the square, with the rally coming one day after a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas took effect.

Witkoff, who was accompanied by Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, also paid tribute to the strength and patience of the relatives and the Israeli people.

"Thank you for showing that the future of this region can be built not on the ashes of old hatred, but on the promise of shared hope," said Witkoff, who earlier visited the Gaza Strip accompanied by the Israeli military. "I dreamed of this night. It's been a long journey," he added.

The cheers turned to boos and whistles when Witkoff emphasized the role of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Let me just finish my thought," said the envoy, arguing that the Israeli leader has given everything for his country.

Many relatives of Israeli hostages in Gaza accuse Netanyahu of having failed to do enough to secure their release in the two years since the October 7, 2023, attacks, in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 abducted to the coastal territory.

Kushner and Ivanka Trump also spoke briefly to the crowd and praised Witkoff's role in the successful negotiations. "It was an honour to work with such a special person," said Kushner.

Ivanka Trump added, "The president wanted me to share, as he has with so many of you personally, that he sees you, he hears you. He stands with you, always, always."

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a first phase of Trump's peace plan.

The plan provides for the release of the 48 remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, which could begin on Sunday. The Israeli military said it has already withdrawn from parts of the Gaza Strip.

Egypt to hold summit

Egypt plans to host an international summit at its Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where the initial agreement between Israel and Hamas was sealed last week.

The meeting is to be co-chaired by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Atti and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed in a phone call arrangements of the summit and international participation, the ministry added in a statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron is among a number of European and Arab leaders expected to attend the summit, which Macron's office said would take place on Monday.

Al-Sissi has also invited German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to attend a signing ceremony on the Gaza agreement.

Trump has already signalled interest in travelling to Egypt for the signing ceremony after a visit to Israel.

But the president, who had indicated that he may travel to the Middle East as early as Sunday, did not specify dates for the individual stops on his trip. 

Hamas said on Saturday that it will not take part in the signing ceremony.

"Hamas will not be participating in the signing process. Only the mediators, along with American and Israeli officials, will attend," sources within Hamas said.

Witkoff visits Gaza

Witkoff and Kushner earlier visited the Gaza Strip with the Israeli military.

The Israeli military published photos and videos of the field visit on Saturday. Admiral Brad Cooper from US Central Command was also present.

Access to the Gaza Strip is completely controlled by Israel, which has imposed a blockade on the sea, air and ground.

Visits by high-ranking government representatives are extremely rare, while international journalists are denied independent access despite repeated requests from press associations and editorial offices.

More than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in figures seen as credible by the UN. Most of the coastal strip has been reduced to rubble.