‘There’s been a handshake’: Trump says hostage deal could be inked by end of the week

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

US President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida, January 7, 2025. (Evan Vucci/AP)
US President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida, January 7, 2025. (Evan Vucci/AP)

US President-elect Donald Trump is asked to update the public on the ongoing hostage talks during an interview with the Newsmax network.

“We are very close to getting it done. They have to get it done. If they don’t get it done, there’s going to be a lot of trouble out there — a lot of trouble like they have never seen before. They will get it done,” Trump says, replacing his previous threat of “hell” in the Middle East with “trouble.”

“I understand there’s been a handshake and they’re getting it finished and maybe by the end of the week, but it has to take place,” he says.

He again laments that many of the hostages are no longer alive due to the difficult conditions under which they are being held. Israel believes roughly half of the 98 hostages still in Gaza are alive.

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