Ashkelon Academic College marked the beginning of the academic year on Sunday with a celebration honoring IDF soldiers and United States President Donald Trump, amid an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Throughout the first week of the academic semester, food and drink stands, a DJ, and displays featuring American locations are planned to be spread throughout the campus, paying tribute to Trump for his efforts to end the war and secure the release of the hostages.
Some featured American locales inspiring the designs of the stands include New York, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Hollywood, and Texas.
The event also honors the IDF soldiers and security forces “who stand guard over our land, the ceasefire agreement, and the return of the hostages,” according to a statement by the university’s student association.
Chairman of the Student Association Meir Katz said, "After a challenging period, we chose to return to routine with high energy and an event that is a tribute to our great friend across the ocean, the US, and its President Donald Trump.”
We see the ceasefire agreement as an important milestone that allows the country, as well as us, the students who served in reserves during the war and their families, to breathe a little and start the academic year on a positive note, with hope and optimism, after years of the college standing at the forefront of the fighting."
Bumps in the road to peace
Last week, the IDF reenforced the ceasefire deal by carrying out a series of strikes against Hamas, following the terror group's multiple violations of the deal that left two soldiers dead and one seriously wounded.
Officials are now sending warning signals to Hamas to return the remains of the hostages still in Gaza, with one senior political source saying "we won't wait forever," and Trump giving the terror group a 48-hour ultimatum to make an advancement regarding the return of the bodies.
Meanwhile, discussions about the future of Gaza are still ongoing, and ways to encourage Hamas to cooperate on "day-after" issues, such as allowing them to take municipal positions, are being explored.