Israeli hostages visit White House as Ukraine, Russia consider Trump peace plan 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to discuss a new peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war, and Driscoll was “very optimistic,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a press briefing Thursday. 

“I’m not going to litigate the details of this plan as it’s ongoing and it’s in flux, but the president supports this plan,” Leavitt said. “It’s a good plan for both Russia and Ukraine, and we believe that it should be acceptable to both sides. We’re working very hard to get it done.” 

She said Witkoff and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been strategizing on this plan for the last month and have engaged both “Russia and Ukraine equally to understand what these countries would commit to in order to see a lasting and durable peace.” 

Leavitt compared the peace negotiations to those President Donald Trump orchestrated between Israel and Gaza, saying he worked with both sides to reach an agreeable solution.  

“I would just remind you of the historic success that this president and his team accomplished in the Middle East,” Leavitt said. “We believe that is possible with Russia and Ukraine, and we’re hoping and working very hard to achieve that.” 

The United Nations voted Monday to accept Trump’s peace plan, marking a “monumental moment,” Leavitt said.  

Scuffles breach ceasefire

While the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza hasn’t collapsed, it’s been breached in various scuffles. Israeli Defense Forces began “striking terrorist targets across Gaza,” Wednesday after terrorists opened fired against IDF soldiers in Khan Yunis, according to an IDF post on X. 

“Several terrorists opened fire toward IDF soldiers operating in Khan Yunis,” the post read around 11:30 a.m. ET Wednesday morning. “This action constitutes a violation of the ceasefire agreement. In response the IDF began striking terrorist targets across Gaza.” 

The exchange of shots and resulting target strikes followed an earlier violation of the ceasefire agreement when terrorists crossed the designated border, according to an earlier post around 10:30 a.m. ET Wednesday. 

“Several terrorists were identified crossing the yellow line and approaching IDF troops in northern Gaza, posing an immediate threat,” the initial post read. “Following identification, the IDF eliminated the terrorists to neutralize the threat.” 

Despite the skirmishes, Israel and Gaza remain at relative peace. Since the deal went into effect, 20 Israeli hostages have returned home, The Times of Israel reports.  

“Heroes, not hostages”

Seventeen of those hostages traveled to America to meet with Trump Thursday, including Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, Matan Angrest, Nimrod Cohen, Avinatan Or, Bar Kuperstein, brothers Ariel and David Cunio and twins Ziv and Gali Berman – all of whom spent more than two years in captivity, according to The Times of Israel.  

In total, 26 former hostages visited the White House, including a few who were released in previous deals. Many hostages brought gifts to thank Trump for his ceasefire deal that liberated them, The Times reports.  

Trump also gave gifts to the freed hostages – distributing his presidential challenge coins which he told two young Israeli girls were “super coins.”  

“You’re not a hostage anymore; today you’re heroes,” Trump told the Israelis gathered at the White House. “We love you all, and our country loves you all, and the world is watching. And really, you’re amazing people.” 

(Image credit: White House/X)