War

Eliya Cohen -- formerly a hostage in Gaza -- tells TMZ President Donald Trump has gained massive popularity in Israel thanks to the new peace deal ... but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? Not so much.

Cohen joined us on "TMZ Live" Monday, saying ... "Here in Israel Trump is a hero. Just because of him, I am released, and I'm alive."

Cohen, who was set free in February, was reportedly held captive for 505 days after Hamas militants abducted him from the Nova music festival October 7, 2023.

Donald Trump is being hailed as a hero and peacemaker in Israel ... after 20 living hostages were returned home from Gaza.

The prez spoke to the Israeli parliament on the heels of his peace plan to end the war in Gaza -- where he was met with a huge standing ovation.

Trump is speaking defiantly, declaring, "This is not only the end of a war. This is the end of the age of terror and death and the beginning of the age of faith and hope and of God."