Herzog, Waltz discuss Trump plan, last hostage in Gaza

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday thanked U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz for his role in advancing the recent U.N. Security Council resolution that codified President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan.

“I want to thank you for supporting Israel at the United Nations with clear moral clarity,” Herzog told Waltz during their meeting in Jerusalem, according to a statement from the president’s office.

Herzog emphasized the need to secure the release of the last hostage being held in Gza, Staff Sgt. Ran Gvili. “Hamas has the obligation to return him—just as it must disarm and enable a new direction for the people of this region.”

A U.S. Mission to the U.N. spokesperson said Waltz thanked Herzog “for his close cooperation with the United States,” and that both “pledged to work together to combat antisemitism and anti-Israel bias at the United Nations.” The two men “discussed the need to maintain maximum pressure on Iran, which continues attempting to destabilize the region.”

Waltz and Herzog “agreed on the need to move quickly on implementing President Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the War in Gaza to ensure Hamas is demilitarized and plays no role in Gaza’s future.”

Danny Danon, Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, also attended the Jerusalem meeting. He said Israel and the United States would continue coordinating their positions to advance shared values across diplomatic platforms.