US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said that he would leverage the Gaza ceasefire deal to further expand the Abraham Accords, US-sponsored agreements made during his first term that normalized Israel’s relations with multiple Arab nations.
A phased ceasefire deal was reached on Wednesday between Israel and Hamas to end the 15-month conflict in Gaza that has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Palestinians. The agreement includes the gradual release of hostages captured by Hamas militants during their attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Trump, who had repeatedly threatened consequences if the hostages were not released before his inauguration on January 20, expressed his delight at the news.
“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,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The president-elect added that his national security team, through the efforts of special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, would continue to work closely with Israel and its allies to ensure Gaza would never again become a ‘terrorist safe haven.’
“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.”
Ceasefire momentum to expand Abraham Accords
Trump also pledged to use the momentum from the ceasefire to expand the Abraham Accords, which normalized Israel’s relations with several Arab countries during his first term.
“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!” he said.
Trump also remarked that they had achieved much without even being in the White House and suggested that even more wonderful things would happen when he returned to the White House.
“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!”
Israel-Hamas conflict
The Israel-Hamas conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen breached security barriers and entered Israeli border-area communities, killing 1,200 soldiers and civilians and abducting over 250 foreign and Israeli hostages. Israel’s subsequent air and ground war in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 46,000 people, according to Gaza Health Ministry figures. It has left the coastal enclave in ruins, with hundreds of thousands of displaced people struggling to survive the winter in tents and makeshift shelters.
