Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement for a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
The Israeli Cabinet still needs to formally ratify the agreement, and multiple details still need to be resolved, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
President-elect Donald Trump responded to the news Wednesday afternoon, calling the ceasefire agreement “EPIC” in a post on Truth Social:
This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our historic victory in November, as it signaled to the entire world that my administration would seek peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.
Initial reports indicate the deal will be comprised of three phases, with 33 hostages released in Phase 1.
“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,” Trump continued. “We will continue promoting PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the historic Abraham Accords. This is only the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed, the world!”
“We have achieved so much without even being in the White House,” the president-elect said. “Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House and my administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more victories for the United States!”
President Joe Biden’s envoy, Brett McGurk, and Trump’s incoming Middle East envoy, Witkoff, both attended the talks hosted in recent days by Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
Trump has warned multiple times in recent weeks that there will be “hell to pay” in the Middle East if the hostages are not released by his inauguration on Jan. 20.
