Trump wants Gaza ceasefire ‘now’ – top senator
US President-elect Donald Trump wants to see Israel and Hamas reach a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the remaining Israeli hostages, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told Axios in an interview published on Friday.
More than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the fighting broke out between Hamas and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) more than a year ago. The IDF operation in the Palestinian enclave was triggered by a surprise Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which left around 1,200 Israelis dead. The group took more than 250 hostages, around 100 of whom are believed to still be held in Gaza.
“Trump is more determined than ever to release the hostages and supports a ceasefire that includes a hostage deal. He wants to see it happening now,” Graham told Axios. He traveled to the Middle East earlier this month and met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to Axios, Graham frequently speaks to Trump and advises him on the issues related to foreign policy and the Middle East. The senator said the president-elect wants to reach a deal on Gaza so he can focus on other issues, including the normalization of Israeli-Saudi relations and consolidating a regional coalition against Iran.
Graham expressed hope that “Trump and the [outgoing] Biden administration will work together during the transition period to release the hostages and get a ceasefire.”
Earlier this week, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that the armed group was ready for a ceasefire with Israel. According to Zuhri, Hamas demonstrated “high flexibility” and remains “interested in reaching an agreement that ends the war in Gaza.” He also accused Netanyahu of showing no interest in reaching a truce.
Netanyahu told Israeli Channel 14 on Thursday that he is “ready for a ceasefire at any time,” but only if West Jerusalem “can achieve the release of the hostages.” He added, however, that a ceasefire would not mean an end to the war against Hamas.
According to AFP, Hamas informed Egypt, Türkiye, and Qatar it is “ready for a ceasefire” and a “serious” prisoner exchange.
On November 27, Israel and the Lebanese-based pro-Palestinian group Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire mediated by the US and France. The truce came into force on Wednesday morning. Both sides have since accused each other of violations.
