From the Liveblog of
Monday, January 20, 2025
Trump says ‘epic’ Israel-Hamas deal a result of his win, mocks Biden administration
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US President-elect Donald Trump hails the “epic ceasefire agreement” that went into place today, calling it “a first step toward lasting peace in the Middle East.”
“This agreement could only have happened as a result of our historic victory in November,” Trump reiterates at a Washington rally ahead of his inauguration tomorrow.
Trump threatened “all hell to pay” in the Mideast if the hostages weren’t returned by his inauguration. While the threat was publicly directed at Hamas, the president-elect’s Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly made clear during his January 11 meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that it was also meant for him as well, as he leaned on the premier to make the compromises necessary to secure an agreement.
“I’m glad to report that the first hostages have just been released… and who knows what’s going to happen,” Trump says before mocking US President Joe Biden for taking credit for the deal. Biden has highlighted that the agreement is the same framework that he unveiled last May, though his administration has acknowledged that the collaboration with the incoming Trump team was integral in bringing the deal over the finish line.
“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,” Trump boasts.
He thanks Witkoff, who just got back from Qatar, for his efforts in securing the deal.
“A lot of guys are knowledgeable, but they can’t negotiate. They don’t have the personality or whatever, and Steve does. Steve’s a great negotiator — a very successful guy… It really couldn’t have been done without Steve,” Trump says to cheers from the crowd.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: "This week, we achieved an epic ceasefire agreement as a first step toward lasting PEACE in the Middle East — and this agreement could only have happened as a result of our historic victory in November." pic.twitter.com/4GDJmmD2AB
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 19, 2025
President-elect Trump on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage deal:
“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.” pic.twitter.com/YOiof4QpUp
— Conservative War Machine (@WarMachineRR) January 19, 2025
The Times of Israel Community.