U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday praised the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, calling it an “epic cease-fire agreement” and “a first step toward lasting peace in the Middle East.” His remarks came during a rally in Washington, D.C., on the eve of his inauguration.
“This agreement could only have happened as a result of our historic victory in November,” Trump declared, linking the breakthrough to his election win. He added, “I’m glad to report that the first hostages have just been released... and who knows what’s going to happen.”
Trump’s comments followed his administration's behind-the-scenes role in finalizing the deal. While publicly threatening Hamas with “all hell to pay” if hostages were not released by his inauguration, reports indicate that Trump’s Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, also pressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make necessary compromises during a meeting on January 11.
Outgoing President Joe Biden has defended his administration’s role in the agreement, highlighting that it is based on a framework his team developed in May. However, White House officials acknowledged collaboration with Trump’s transition team, describing it as critical to sealing the deal.
Trump, taking aim at Biden, said, “Our incoming administration has achieved all of this in the Middle East, in less than three months, without being president — we’ve achieved more… than they’ve achieved in four years with being president.” His remarks drew cheers from the crowd, underscoring the incoming administration’s ambition to reshape U.S. policy in the region.