By The American Tribune | Created at 2025-01-18 11:01:09 | Updated at 2025-01-20 13:51:20
2 days ago
Following the breakthrough ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, just days before Donald Trump’s inauguration, Arab officials have claimed that the incoming president’s team has done more to save hostages than President Joe Biden has in a year. Since the conflict in the Middle East broke out after the October 7 attack in 2023, there has been virtually no progress in bringing a conclusion to the war.
According to reports, Trump’s appointment as Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, conducted a productive meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last weekend. Two Arab officials explained to the Times of Israel that Witkoff contributed more to the advancement of a ceasefire than the Biden administration had throughout the conflict, despite Trump not even being inaugurated.
Just two days after Witkoff and Netanyahu’s meeting, negotiators between Israel and Hamas confirmed they had reached a ceasefire agreement. “A deal could have been reached much earlier, but both sides led to talks falling apart at various times,” one Arab official explained. Hostages are set to be exchanged in the coming days.
However, Democrats have predictably taken a victory lap, assuming the deal was their rightful accomplishment. Outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris released a statement claiming the ceasefire occurred “thanks to the leadership of President Joe Biden.” She declared, “President Biden and I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans, and are determined that all the American hostages be returned home as part of this deal.”
“In my many conversations with leaders in the region, my unwavering focus has been to end this war such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination,” Harris continued. “I will never stop working to achieve a future of greater peace, dignity, and security for all people in the region.”
The American Tribune reported on President-elect Trump’s reaction to the hostage agreement reached by Israel and Hamas, which came roughly a week after he warned that “all hell would break out” if a deal was not struck by the time he returned to office. Trump initially wrote on Truth Social, ““We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!”
Trump posted in another statement, “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.”
“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,” he added “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!”
The post concluded, “We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. 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!”
Watch Trump explain that “all hell will break out” below:
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