By NATALIE LISBONA MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT AT THE KNESSET JERUSALEM

It was the historic moment Israel and the world had awaited for more than two years - the release of the hostages from Gaza.

But even then, Donald Trump could not resist quipping with trademark bravado as he addressed a jubilant Knesset on Monday.

'Nice place,' joked Mr Trump as he took to the podium of Israel's parliament, before he thanked the Almighty God of 'Abraham, Isaac and Jacob'.

The President's landmark address was typical of the imperious ambition of the Donald to kick-start a new dawn in Middle East politics. This was the Trump show, with the President delivering a marathon 64-minute speech.

The Daily Mail was one of the few western media outlets given access to the Knesset to watch history unfold.

'This is the end of terrorism,' he pledged. 'And after so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today, the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a holy land that is finally at peace, a land and a region that will live, God willing, in peace for all eternity.

'Generations from now, this will be remembered as the moment that everything began to change, and change very much for the better, like the USA right now, it will be the golden age of Israel, and the golden age of the Middle East.'

When Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke, it was not only to dole out praise to Mr Trump but also to deliver a thinly veiled attack on other world leaders.

President Donald Trump pictured signing a welcome book before speaking to Israel's Knesset. This was the Trump show with the President delivering a marathon 64-minute speech

When Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke, it was not only to dole out praise to Mr Trump but also to deliver a thinly veiled attack on other world leaders

'When others were weak, you were strong... when others abandoned us, you stood by our side... thank you for paving a path for peace,' he said.

The weak who had abandoned Israel? This could only be Keir Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron, their recognition of a state of Palestine opposed by the US and regarded in Israel as treacherous, foolhardy reward for terror, jeopardising the negotiations before the deal.

Trump receives a standing ovation while heralding 'dawn of a new Middle East' in historic speech

Only on Sunday Israel's deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel had been unequivocal in her withering criticism of the UK, charging that recognition had 'actually pushed Hamas to embolden their position'.

For weeks there has been feverish speculation over what had transpired between the Mr Trump and Netanyahu to get to the point of the deal.

Now, clearly alluding to frank private discussions, as Mr Trump thanked Mr Netanyahu and asked him to stand to applause, he admitted: 'He's not the easiest guy to deal with but that's what makes him great.'

There was an unmistakable sense of mutual grudging respect. Members of the Knesset chanted 'Trump, Trump, Trump!'

There were several standing ovations for the President, along with his daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, a crucial figure in the negotiations.

Amid the sea of dark suits worn by the strait-laced ranks of the Knesset, Ivanka stood out, resplendent in white, a dove of peace decked out in the designer finery befitting a billionaire's daughter.

There were several standing ovations for the President, along with his daughter Ivanka, pictured, and her husband Jared Kushner, a crucial figure in the negotiations

There was an unmistakable sense of mutual grudging respect. Members of the Knesset chanted 'Trump, Trump, Trump!'

Israelis are especially fond of this American princess who converted to Judaism to marry Kushner. Many believe these familial bonds have only strengthened Trump's relationship to Israel and its leaders.

Trump and Macron continue ongoing handshake contest with bizarre 'arm-wrestle' at peace summit

In the gallery, grateful Israelis wore MAGA-style red baseball caps but with the slogan 'Trump The Peace President'.

Knesset speaker Amir Ohana added to the torrent of praise for the man of the hour, saying, 'The world needs more Trumps', and that he will be submitting the President's achievements for the Nobel Peace Prize next year.

Anyone else might have been embarrassed as the plaudits from every side piled up. Trump, clearly delighted, beamed.

He even took advantage of the moment to make a plea to the Israeli president to pardon Mr Netanyahu over corruption charges.

The prime minister was indicted in 2019 for fraud, corruption and bribery charges. It is alleged he and his wife, Sara, were bribed with lavish gifts from Australian billionaire James Packer.

In exchange, Mr Netanyahu, who could face up to a decade behind bars if found guilty, is accused of helping the billionaire's media interests while serving as the minister of communications.

'I have an idea, why don't you give Netanyahu a pardon?' Mr Trump told President Isaac Herzog.

In the gallery, grateful Israelis wore MAGA-style red baseball caps but with the slogan 'Trump The Peace President'

Trump even took advantage of the moment to make a plea to Israeli president Isaac Herzog, pictured left, to pardon Mr Netanyahu, right, over corruption charges

Trump stuns Israel parliament as he demands Netanyahu pardon

He also had a warning to the watching world, and particularly Tehran, harking back to the joint US-Israel operation this year against Iran's nuclear facilities to never doubt Trump's commitment to Jerusalem: 'Together, we stopped the number one state sponsor of terror from obtaining the world's most dangerous weapons.'

But Mr Trump is the consummate negotiator, and he opened the door to the Islamic Republic - sponsors of Hamas and Hezbollah - saying: 'Even to Iran, whose regime has inflicted so much death on the Middle East, the hand of friendship and co-operation is open.'

For Israel and the region, Mr Trump held out the tantalising prospect of what now lies in touching distance: 'You've won. It is time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East.'

And then Mr Trump was off, to the summit in Egypt, to plan out the end of the war and the future of peace in the region. There, all eyes will again be on him.

NATALIE LISBONA: The Trump Show comes to the Knesset