Israel and Hamas on Wednesday reached a deal to release hostages being held in Gaza and establish a ceasefire, an agreement pushed through mostly because of President-elect Donald Trump's influence, a diplomat briefed on the negotiations told The Washington Post.
About 98 hostages are still being held in Gaza, including seven Americans.
Trump took credit for the deal, saying it would not have happened without his victory in November.
"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," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
He credited his special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, for working with Biden's negotiators to reach a conclusion.
Witkoff, who has been in Doha since last week with Biden's top Middle East adviser Brett McGurk been working to push for a deal, "will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven," Trump added.
The diplomat who spoke with the Post said Hamas' diminished position was also a factor.
"Hamas doesn't have the capacity to say no to anything," the person said.
"Operationally, they are very weak; no one wants to be seen as a leader," he added.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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