Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal brokered by President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump’s teams.
President Biden announced the deal, which President Trump claimed “could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November.”
Biden explained his team worked with Trump to represent the United States as “one team” during the negotiations.
Shortly after winning the presidential elections, Trump warned Hamas would have “hell to pay.”
"Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity," said Trump. "Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America."
Trump’s comments have seemed to work, as Hamas subsequently entered negotiation talks that climaxed with the current ceasefire deal.
Trump added he would pursue the preservation of the ceasefire deal and continue promoting “peace through strength” throughout the Middle East.
“With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven,” assured Trump.
The ceasefire deal includes assurances from Hamas it will release Israeli hostages as long as Israel releases detained Palestinians.
Israel and Hamas have been at war since Hamas’ barbaric October 7th, 2023 incursion into Israel.
Hamas terrorists killed thousands and took hundreds more captive.
Israeli intelligence reports allege Hamas still holds 101 hostages in Gaza, of which 84 are men and 13 women, including 2 children under the age of 5.
Biden’s administration had attempted to balance supporting Israel’s military with the humanitarian concerns of Palestinians and Palestinian supporters in the US by attempting to cooperate with Hamas officials.
Conversely, Trump's election and his recent cabinet nominations forecast a shift in the US' Israel policy towards a more hardline approach that prioritizes Israel's war efforts and shows little deference to Hamas and Palestinian concerns.
