Israel and Hamas have reportedly agreed to a ceasefire deal, which includes the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.
As The Hill reports:
Shortly after news reports emerged late Wednesday morning, President-elect Trump celebrated on Truth Social.
“WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!”
This is the Trump Effect.
— Wesley Hunt (@WesleyHuntTX) January 15, 2025
Thank you Mr. President. pic.twitter.com/3CbraaRhWy
No announcement had been made by the Biden administration as of noon Wednesday.
The deal would open the door for a possible end to more than a year of fighting since Hama’s Oct. 7 terrorist attack against Israel, and Israel’s subsequent war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Today’s developments occur just days after Trump urged Hamas to release the hostages before inauguration, warning that “all hell will break out” if they didn’t.
🔥Flashback to 6 days ago🔥
— Clandestine (@WarClandestine) January 14, 2025
Trump says if the hostages “are not back by the time I get into office, all hell is gonna break out”.
And what do you know, Israel and Hamas just agreed on a ceasefire and hostage deal.
Trump is already ending wars that the Biden regime fueled. pic.twitter.com/nVVQamkRAI
Although the ceasefire was months in the making, some observers suggest it was expedited due to incoming U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump, to whom Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu found it difficult to say no.
Trump is applying “heavy pressure not only on Hamas and the Qataris, but also on us to reach a deal,” stated Israeli Channel 14 political commentator Tamir Morag during his broadcast on Tuesday, referencing conversations with sources within Netanyahu’s coalition government.
Similarly, Israeli Channel 12 political correspondent Yaron Avarham noted that the president-elect “pressed hard” and clearly communicated to the prime minister his desire to see a deal finalized before his inauguration. Avarham added that the proposal in question was “the same deal” that the Biden administration had previously postponed consideration of.
For his part, President Biden announced on Tuesday that a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas was imminent.
“We are on the brink of a proposal that I outlined in detail months ago finally coming to fruition,” the president declared. “We are working urgently to finalize this deal.”
BREAKING:
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) January 13, 2025
President Biden says a ceasefire-hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas is imminent:
“We’re on the brink of a proposal that I laid out in detail months ago finally coming to fruition…We’re working urgently to close this deal.”
According to reports in Israeli… pic.twitter.com/Ry4aWhEhq5
As part of the agreement, Israel is expected to release 30 to 50 Palestinian prisoners for each Israeli hostage freed. This prisoner exchange was a key demand from Hamas during the talks.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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This does not bode well for Israel or America or for Trump!
IT IS A NOT A HOSTAGE EXCHANGE. It is an exchange of innocent people held hostage by Hamas for a much larger number of terrorist criminals apprehended, convicted and incarcerated by Israel.