The ceasefire and hostage deal underway in Israel came about because President-elect Donald Trump is about to take office, former Rep. Jack Kingston said on Newsmax, Sunday. 

"This is the same deal that Joe Biden had put together in May and nothing happened," the Georgia Republican told Newsmax's "Wake Up America Weekend." "Then suddenly, what changed? We elected a new sheriff in town, and he made a very clear statement in December that if the hostages aren't released by the time he's inaugurated, there will be all hell to pay."

But he said he agrees with former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, who told Newsmax on Sunday that the deal should be taken with guarded optimism. 

"Hamas doesn't ever go away completely unless you eradicate it like a cancer," said Kingston. "If you leave a few cells out there, they tend to grow and they tend to come back. This is a high price to pay numerically when you consider how many . . . Israel has to release to get some home. But it is the deal that you have to make."

Kingston compared the situation to the Iran hostage situation in the 1970s under then-President Jimmy Carter. 

"They were released the day that Ronald Reagan was sworn in, because the Middle East understands bargaining by strength," he said. "They know that not only will Donald Trump build up the American military and build up our allies and our alliances, but we'll use that strength. It doesn't do any good just to sit there, as Joe Biden did and say, Don't, don't, don't as if Iran is going to be afraid and suddenly defund Hamas."

Trump's incoming administration, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Michael Waltz, "all know their stuff," Kingston added. "They've studied world history. He's not putting some greenhorn politicos who have never been in public policy and decision-making. That's not what his Cabinet looks like. His Cabinet is made up of people who are dedicated to putting America first, American strength abroad and I think Hamas sees that. And certainly Iran does."

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