Israeli-American actress Natalie Portman<\/a> expressed excitement Monday over the prospect of peace between Israel and Gaza.<\/p>\n While at the Lumi\u00e8re Film Festival in Lyon, France, Portman remarked that it was a “momentous day<\/a>” as the two-year war between Israel and Hamas appeared to be ending, and the remaining living hostages were being released from Gaza.\u00a0<\/p>\n “To see the end of the war today and the release and the swap of the prisoners and the hostages is really a momentous day,” the “Star Wars” actress said.<\/p>\n ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASEFIRE TAKES EFFECT, IDF BEGINS PULLING BACK IN GAZA<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Former President Donald Trump recently brokered a peace deal<\/a> between Israel and Hamas that went into effect this week.<\/p>\n The prisoner exchange began Monday, with Hamas releasing the final 20 living hostages in exchange for Israel freeing about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, according to the Associated Press and Reuters. The swap is part of Trump\u2019s 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the conflict and rebuilding Gaza. So far, only four of the 28 presumed-dead hostages have been recovered.<\/p>\n Portman attended the festival as a guest of honor, with the Lumi\u00e8re Film Festival recognizing her Hollywood career. During a Q&A and a screening of her 2010 film “Black Swan,” festival director Thierry Fr\u00e9maux asked where she was from, prompting her to reflect on events in Israel.\u00a0<\/p>\n BEFORE AND AFTER IMAGES SHOW DEVASTATING DESTRUCTION IN GAZA<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n President Donald Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion International Airport before departing for Sharm El-Sheikh, Oct. 13, 2025, in Tel Aviv, Israel.<\/span> ((Photo by Chip Somodevilla\/Getty Images))<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “Well, I\u2019m from Jerusalem, I am born in Jerusalem,” Portman said. “So today is a very, very emotional day.”<\/p>\n After calling it a “momentous day,” the actress added, “It feels almost crazy to be talking about anything else except celebrating \u2014 hopefully \u2014 peace.”<\/p>\n Portman previously expressed sorrow for Israel following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks, writing that her “heart was shattered for the people of Israel.”<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Natalie Portman (pictured in 2018) stars in the new adaptation of “Lady in the Lake,” currently filming in Baltimore.<\/span> (Filippo Monteforte)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “Children, women and the elderly have been murdered and abducted from their own homes,” Portman wrote<\/a>. “I am in horror at the barbaric acts and my heart is pounding with love and prayer for the families of all affected.”<\/p>\n Portman also premiered the new animated movie “Arco,” which she produced with Sophie Mas, emphasizing her desire to put “positivity” into the world through the film.\u00a0<\/p>\n “I definitely feel the need to put positivity into the world right now,” Portman said. “We produced \u2018Arco,\u2019 it\u2019s an incredibly positive and timely film. And the last two films I produced and acted in are comedies \u2013 \u2018The Galerist\u2019 and \u2018Good Sex\u2019 that will be out next year \u2013 so I\u2019m definitely leaning toward the light right now.”<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n![\"U.S.](\"https:\/\/www.jubi24.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/trump-netanyahu-leaving.jpg\")
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