Donald Trump will on Monday, January 20, 2025 take the oath of office before Chief Justice John Roberts at an indoors ceremony at the Capitol’s, following icy conditions in Washington.
Trump is returning to the White House after having lost his relection bid in 2020 to Joe Biden. However, four years later he has made a comeback defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in both the Electoral College and popular vote with unassailable leads.
His inauguration is coming on the back of the release of three Israeli hostages by armed Islamist group, Hamas, after over 14 months of fighting between the group and Isreal.
Those who have been released are; Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher and were safely ferried into Israel.
Reacting to the development, Israel President Isaac Herzog wrote on X, formerly Twitter; “Romi, Emily, and Doron – so beloved and missed – an entire nation rejoices at your return.
“We send you and your families a huge embrace. This is a day of joy and comfort, and the beginning of a challenging journey of recovery and healing together.”
Also, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, after the release of the three hostages – who include UK national Emily Damari, wrote; “The release of three hostages today is wonderful and long-overdue news after months of agony for them and their families,” he says.
“Among them is British citizen Emily Damari, who will now be reunited with her family, including her mother Amanda who has never stopped her tireless fight to bring her daughter home.
“I wish them all the very best as they begin the road to recovery after the intolerable trauma they have experienced. We stand ready to offer assistance and support.
“However, today also represents another day of suffering for those who haven’t made it home yet – so while this ceasefire deal should be welcomed, we must not forget about those who remain in captivity under Hamas.
“While Emily’s nightmare in Gaza is over, for too many other families the impossible wait continues. Every last hostage must be released, and humanitarian aid must be provided to the hostages who are still waiting to come home.”
On his part, French president Emmanuel Macron told Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas that a return to Palestinian governance was needed in Gaza following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Agence France-Presse reports.
According to Macron’s office, Macron told Abbas in a phone call on Sunday that this should “fully incorporate the Palestinian Authority” and that Gaza’s future should be aimed at the creation of a Palestinian state.
Macron added that “no massacre, like the one perpetrated on October 7 [2023] can ever be committed against the Israeli people again.”
The UN Women in their statement said: “UN Women welcomes the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, including the hostage release deal, which went into effect today.
“We join the Secretary-General in expressing hope that all parties will honor their commitments to ensure this agreement paves the way for a lasting peace for women and girls in Palestine, Israel, and the region. The news of the ceasefire brings relief for the 1 million women and girls who have lived under continued bombardment, without safety in Gaza for the last 470 days. The news of the initial release of hostages brings immense relief to them and their families. The ceasefire agreement marks a crucial step towards stability and peace.
“Urgent humanitarian relief is needed throughout Gaza to alleviate the immense suffering. The conflict has caused death and destruction on an unprecedented scale for everyone in Gaza, with women and girls suffering from specific gendered vulnerabilities throughout it. Women have been at the forefront of humanitarian responses and community action, serving as primary caregivers, heads of households, and leaders in their communities.”
