'WE HAVE A DEAL': Trump announces Israel, Hamas reach deal on ceasefire, hostage release

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Israel and Palestinian terror group Hamas have reached a deal on a ceasefire and release of Hamas-held hostages. Trump has previously said that were the hostages not released by his Inauguration Day, January 20, "all hell will break loose."

"We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East," Trump announced on Truth Social in all caps. "They will be released shortly. Thank you!"



Hostages have been held by Hamas since they were taken from Israel during a pogrom carried out by those terrorists on October 7, 2023. The deal on the table includes the release of hostages, some of whom are deceased. In exchange, Israel will be releasing Palestinian prisoners who are incarcerated in Israeli prisons. It's not clear yet what the numbers are on that exchange.

A US official reportedly told The Jerusalem Post that the deal had been agreed to and an Israeli official later said that "differences in negotiations" had been hammered out.

"There weren't really any significant difficulties. There were problems. There were things that took time to close, but at no point did it seem like the deal was going to blow up," sources in Qatar told The Jerusalem Post.

"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 said in a follow up post.
 
"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. 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 continued.
 
"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!"



President Joe Biden weighed in on effort saying in a statement:

"Today, after many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal. This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity.

"I laid out the precise contours of this plan on May 31, 2024, after which it was endorsed unanimously by the UN Security Council. It is the result not only of the extreme pressure that Hamas has been under and the changed regional equation after a ceasefire in Lebanon and weakening of Iran — but also of dogged and painstaking American diplomacy. My diplomacy never ceased in their efforts to get this done.

"Even as we welcome this news, we remember all the families whose loved ones were killed in Hamas’s October 7th attack, and the many innocent people killed in the war that followed. It is long past time for the fighting to end and the work of building peace and security to begin. I am also if thinking of the American families, three of whom have living hostages in Gaza and four awaiting return of remains after what has been the most horrible ordeal imaginable. Under this deal, we are determined to bring all of them home. 

"I will speak more about this soon. For now, I am thrilled that those who have been held hostage are being reunited with their families."

Biden planned to deliver remarks on Tuesday afternoon.