Trump says Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal ‘should hold’

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

US President Donald Trump says the Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal he helped finalize “should hold.”

The comments appear to soften ones he made earlier this week when he said he was not confident that the agreement would hold.

Asked to elaborate on those comments, Trump tells reporters, “It’s a very tricky place.”

Trump credits his Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff for securing the agreement that had been elusive for months. Noting that “both sides” liked Witkoff, Trump says, “That deal would have never been made without Steve.”

“The deal should hold, but if it doesn’t there will be a lot of problems,” Trump warns.

Amid reports that Trump is planning to tap Witkoff to handle US diplomacy with Iran, Trump is asked whether he’ll want him to be negotiating directly with Iran.

“No, but he’s certainly somebody I would use,” Trump says.

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