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How a Trump comment 'forced' Netanyahu to accept Gaza ceasefire

How a Trump comment 'forced' Netanyahu to accept Gaza ceasefire

Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement, which is expected to end the 15-month conflict in Gaza.

This process has been accelerated by a comment by the newly elected US president, Donald Trump.

Israel's security cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal
Read too Israel's security cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal

On January 7 of this year, Trump said that “the Middle East will face hell” if a deal to release the hostages is not reached by his inauguration on January 20. This comment, although initially interpreted as a message to Hamas or Iran, an Israeli official told Politico that it was a message to the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.


"Netanyahu is afraid of Trump," he said, while Steve Bannon, Trump's former strategist, claimed that "the message was for Netanyahu, not Hamas."

While the current administration of US President Joe Biden has been conducting intensive diplomacy for more than a year, many analysts argue that Trump's comments and stance have been more decisive for this agreement, especially due to the pressure on Israel.

This is reinforced by the fact that similar diplomatic efforts had failed earlier in 2024.

Trump immediately took credit for the deal, while Biden, when asked about it, responded with a smile and a rhetorical question about the seriousness of the comment.

Israel says hostage release deal reached after last-minute setbacks with Hamas
Read too Israel says hostage release deal reached after last-minute setbacks with Hamas

Politico also highlights that Netanyahu has taken Trump's warning seriously, fearing the loss of support from the next US president.

One notable episode was when Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, insisted on meeting Netanyahu on the Sabbath, forcing the Israeli prime minister to break religious tradition. This happened just days before the final agreement was reached. /Telegraph/