President-elect Trump is committed to brokering a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, according to a prominent Republican senator.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham revealed in a Friday Axios interview that President-elect Donald Trump seeks an immediate ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Over 44,000 Palestinians have perished in Gaza since the conflict between Hamas and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) escalated over a year ago. The IDF operation began after a surprise Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the capture of over 250 hostages, with around 100 still believed to be held captive.
“Trump is more determined than ever to secure the hostages’ release and supports a ceasefire that includes a hostage exchange. He wants this to happen now,” Graham stated to Axios. Graham recently visited the Middle East, meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Graham, who frequently consults with Trump on foreign policy and Middle East issues, said the president-elect aims to resolve the Gaza situation to focus on other priorities, including Israeli-Saudi normalization and building a regional anti-Tehran coalition.
Graham expressed optimism that “Trump and the Biden administration will collaborate during the transition to secure the hostages’ release and achieve a ceasefire.”
Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri recently told Reuters that the group is prepared for a ceasefire with Israel, highlighting their “high flexibility” and continued interest in “reaching an agreement to end the Gaza war.” Zuhri accused Netanyahu of lacking interest in a truce.
Netanyahu told Israeli Channel 14 on Thursday that he is “ready for a ceasefire at any moment” contingent upon the release of hostages from West Jerusalem. He emphasized that a ceasefire wouldn’t signal the war’s end.
According to AFP, Hamas has informed Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar of its readiness for a ceasefire and a “serious” prisoner exchange.
On November 27, Israel and Hezbollah, a Lebanese pro-Palestinian group, agreed to a US and France-mediated ceasefire, which took effect Wednesday morning. Both sides have since accused each other of violations.